Background
Adstockfields Farm is an arable and dairy farm located outside of Buckingham. The client was introduced to Edgars through a farm diversification consultancy (Dudley Peverill) who was supporting them in finding innovative opportunities to diversify the farm’s revenue streams, enhance the overall profitability of the farm’s operations, and supplement arable and livestock farming.
The centre of the client’s vision was to facilitate circular farming in the production, processing and utilisation of waste materials, transforming them from byproducts into a potential revenue
source.
Challenge
The most significant challenge we faced was the rural and remote location of the farm, as well as proximity to public rights of way, which introduced a series of logistical complexities,
particularly in terms of transportation and site accessibility.
In addition, local planning policy on small scale rural development needed careful consideration, and informed the scale and planning strategy to ensure that more onerous retail assessments
were not required to support the developments.
Solution
Working collaboratively with the diversification consultants to ensure the strategy aligned with grant funding deadlines, we outlined a planning strategy to separate the planning applications
to reduce the projects’ overall risk, and utilise timescales required for additional ecological reporting.
We recommended the submission of the planning application for the distillery building first, and demonstrated the role of the distillery in diversifying the farms existing operations and income,
thus setting the precedent for a commercial use. We then utilised the determination period of this application to undertaken ecology surveys to support the planning application to convert a building into a visitor centre. Lastly, we undertook a Prior Approval for change of use of an existing barn from agricultural use to B8 storage under Class R.
Result
Edgars managed the sub consultants to ensure effective and consistent reporting across the three applications, as well as maximising value for the client across the applications.
Planning permission was granted for the new distillery building in September 2023, visitor centre in February 2024 and Prior Approval for the change of use of agricultural barns to B8 storage in February 2025.
Conclusion
The narrative we presented around farm diversification, and the clients objectives was the golden thread running through all three applications, and demonstrated the need for the developments and ultimately led to consents being issued without significant delay or difficulty. Amy Powell, Associate
Client Testimonial
“The project from a planning perspective was hugely complicated with new builds, converted farm buildings and public spaces. Edgars were fantastic, taking the whole process out of my hands and delivering results in an impressively timely manner.”
J Nicholson, Landowner
If you’re looking for planning consultants to assist you with commercial buildings, education facilities, master planning and more, we can help. Get in touch with us on 01865 731700 or email enquiries@edgarslimited.co.uk.