Croft Architecture have again been successful in obtaining planning permission and listed building consent for a Grade II listed site in Upper Leigh, Staffordshire.
Moor Farm was originally built in the early 1700's as a working dairy farm on the Bagot Estate of Blithfield Hall, Staffordshire. It was once a thriving dairy farm during the 1800's, placing it firmly in the heyday of High Farming linked to a wealthy family and estate.
Over recent years the farm house, barns and outbuildings have stood neglected and are in need of renovation and refurbishment to preserve this traditional historic Staffordshire Grade II listed dairy farm.
Careful consideration has been taken with the brief for this project to sensitively transform the dilapidated farm house and barn into five new dwellings. An experienced archaeological consultant has produced a heritage report having researched the history of the building enabling us to ensure all aspects of the project remain sensitive to the locality of the site and the existing buildings.
The former farm house will be sympathetically transformed into a new home for the existing owners of the site. The external alterations will improve the property's external appearance adding a replacement traditional timber framed conservatory that will match all the new windows and doors. The conservatory once stood on the site but was demolished some years ago and we intend to recreate a similar structure in keeping with the style of the property. The objective of the project is to sensitively restore the physical character of the farmhouse.
The large linear barn on site was previously used for cattle milking and a grain store. This building will be divided into four separate two and three bedroomed dwellings that will be accessed by a shared private road.
Although the main barn is not the reason for the site's heritage listing, it is a historic building of strong character. The design is symmetrical with large archways to each end, and an area with diamond patterned brickwork in the centre section.
One main principle of our design is the maintenance and re-use the existing openings wherever possible with the large archways creating a significant amount of light in the end properties. New conservation roof lights will provide additional natural light to the upper floor without impacting on the facade of the historic barn.
We shall retain as much of the working aesthetic of the buildings as possible while incorporating new architecture with a sense of the history of the existing buildings.
The more recent steel framed sheds and outbuildings surrounding the historic barn and farm house will be demolished, creating garden space for the new properties. When complete the new homes will benefit from unrivalled views of the rolling hills across the farms open countryside.
The new residents of the historic barn at Upper Leigh will be located only minutes from the pretty parish hamlets of Lower Leigh and Church Leigh with a parish church serving the surrounding satellite hamlets and All Saints Primary School dating back to the early 19th Century. We have previously worked on the local school helping to create additional space through alterations and extensions forming a new school hall, offices, reception and MUGA. Click here to find out more about the project.
In addition to the fantastic views of the surrounding countryside the site itself has a large amount of open space which enables the new residents to socialise and form a small community between the dwellings. The shared garden area has the potential to be used as a community allotment, or gardens and landscaped areas.
Through a close working relationship with our clients, the planners and consultants we have developed an exciting scheme to transform this historic Staffordshire Farm preserving it for future generations to enjoy. We are excited to be part of the journey for this historic derelict farm site in creating a new community environment and giving the farm a new lease of life.
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