Background
Wise Investment appointed Edgars to manage both the planning permission and listed building consent applications for the decarbonisation of their office, The Great Barn near Chipping Norton. This commission followed a previously withdrawn application for similar works in December 2024.
Edgars were brought on board to provide a more robust planning strategy and heritage-led approach to support the successful delivery of the project.
Challenge
The Great Barn is a converted vernacular agricultural barn – a historic, Grade-II Listed Building.
The previous applications were withdrawn following the Local Authority’s concerns regarding impacts upon the building’s heritage significance, leading to uncertainty over the ability to decarbonise both the building and its tenant – Wise Investment.
This raised a conundrum over the commercial viability of The Great Barn – if investing to decarbonize was not forthcoming, what was the future of the building if Wise Investment went elsewhere?
Solution
A detailed understanding of the barns historic significance and its setting focused pre-application engagement with the Local Planning Authority.
Edgars’ pre-application engagement then built upon the sites’ context and significance to present an options appraisal for building and ground-mounted solar panels, and air-source heat pumps. Further supported by Historic England advice, the pre-application ensured that interventions were directed where they would have the least or no harm, and the Council could be confident the proposals has fully considered all options.
The pre-application reduced the risk to the resulting planning application.
Result
Through working collaboratively with the client, renewables supplier, and the Council, the optimum solution for solar provision and the heat pump was found.
The local authority accepted the proposal, which targeted renewable equipment away from the historic core of Great Barn, where its significance lay.
In all, the works conserved the use and significance of the listed building, while making efficient use of land and taking sustainable measures to decarbonise its operation.
Planning permission was granted in February 2026 with no planning conditions requiring discharge ahead of commencement.
Conclusion
Consultation and consensus, on the significance of Great Barn and wider conservation practice, delivered a proposal to safeguard the future of the Listed Building and its users. This provides insight into the necessity to take the careful decarbonisation of the historic environment seriously, in the fight against climate change. Alexandra Green, Heritage Planner.
Client Testimonial
“We are so pleased that we have finally been granted the planning permission. Thank you to you and your team for all your hard work on this, we really appreciate it.”
Wise Investment
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.