New Sharnfold Farm plans in the pipeline

According to a design and access statement submitted with a planning application to Wealden District Council, the plans would create a site called the Flint Barn Courtyard: Creative Arts and Business Centre.

Sharnfold Farm is a 78 acre site – owned by Kent Entertainment Ltd – which includes a popular farm shop and butchers, a number of public spaces including a children’s play area and a popular pick your own fruit service.

The document says the new centre would be in the central area of the farm, close to the farm shop and cafe, with access coming from Hailsham Road.

Currently there is a three-sided courtyard made up of a number of agricultural buildings used for storage.

The development will be used for commercial office spaces, and a creative arts building, totalling a 1,000 sq metre floor space according to the planning documents.

The existing buildings group is to be transformed by removing the agricultural buildings of poor quality or unsuitable for development and converting the good quality buildings as well as remodelling and extending buildings to support the anticipated new uses.

This means it plans to remove the chicken shed, the stables and outbuilding due to poor quality construction. The cattle shelter and farm equipment shed would be remodelled and extended, the plans explain.

The planning document said, “The overall concept is to create a business centre which will encourage and support new and established small businesses involved in creative industries including designers, artists, makers, craftspeople, digital creators and start-ups.”

The courtyard is to be re-paved and widened. Parking will be created too but the courtyard area will remain vehicle-free meaning it is safe for pedestrian access.

Housing development plans at Sharnfold Farm