Barn in business

2:39pm Thursday 27th March 2008

A historic barn at a south Oxfordshire farm has been converted into state-of-the-art offices. The listed Grade II barn at Manor Farm, Cholsey, was built in the early 1700s, then added to throughout that century.

It was originally used for threshing corn then, more recently, for storing potatoes grown on the 600-plus acre estate and, during the last century, it has been owned by the Bitmead family. Now the conversion, which combines the original features with modern business facilities, has been opened by National Farmers' Union director general Richard MacDonald.

Farmer Stephen Bitmead said: "The family has owned this beautiful old barn for nearly a century. No longer appropriate for modern farm equipment, we believe a sympathetic conversion to offices is the best way of preserving a working building for many future generations."

He added that care had been taken to make the project environmentally sensitive.

Mr Bitmead explained: "Large windows maximise natural light. Pumps using ground source energy provide heating in winter and cooling in summer.

"There is ample car parking and space for bicycles. Manor Farm is also convenient for the local station, shops and restaurants."

Guests at the opening included representatives from local businesses, councillors, neighbours and friends of the Bitmeads, Cholsey Great Barnes Limited and The Pineapple Group, the rural property specialist which managed the conversion.

The new offices are available to rent from Pineapple Developments or Adkin Rural and Commercial.

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