Traditional Peak District barn could be converted into new farm shop

Manor Farm in Sheen has sent in an application for a change of use from a tradition barn to a farm shop.

Applicant Lorna Critchlow said in a supporting statement which was submitted alongside the application: “We are excited for the opportunity to relocate Manor Farm’s farm shop for the benefit of the local community, supported by the Peak Park Farming in Protected Landscape Scheme.

“This application for the proposed change of use of the attached agricultural barn to the Grade II listed farmhouse, will secure its presence in the Peak District National Park for years to come.”

The owners of Manor Farm are currently using a temporary portable cabin, within the farmyard of the property, as a farm shop, in which they sell the farm’s produce and other items.

However, they now want to remove the portable building and expand the shop into a barn on their property which is currently being used for agricultural storage.

The farmhouse is a Grade II listed building and Mrs Critchlow said: “Removing the portable cabin would withdraw the visual harm being caused to the heritage asset.

“The change of use of this barn would bear no impact on the farmhouse or associated heritage assets.

“As such the project will secure the future of this heritage asset.”

Manor Farm was a farmhouse located within part of the estate of Richard Thomas Bateman in the early 19th century, and the freehold was sold at auction around 1825 to the tenant Thomas Wardle.

The house and a large area of land was occupied by Thomas Wardle, and it seems likely the farmhouse was probably rebuilt by him in the early 19th century.

It remained farmed in the ownership of the Wardle family until the early 20th century at which point it was given the new name of Manor Farm, by the new owner, Arthur Henry Flower.

The Critchlow family inherited the property via Elizabeth Mary Critchlow, wife of A H Flower.

Mrs Critchlow added: “The change of use of this barn in to a small farm shop for the associated working farm on-site, would compliment the listed farmhouse and would be of local amenity and public benefit.”