Lodge to become house as charity disposes of farm

A charity that promotes nature-friendly farming and education is having to sell off a heritage farm in a scenic Herefordshire spot, where the main building is intended to be turned into a house.

The Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) owns Turnastone Court Farm, a livestock farm in the Golden Valley and one of just two with accommodation among its 16-farm portfolio.

Previously an education centre, Turnastone Lodge has latterly been successfully let as Airbnb accommodation for up to ten guests in five bedrooms, and is rated “a guest favourite” by the accommodation website.

But the trust has now submitted a planning application (number 260702) for permission to convert this into a home.

Having been forced to end its school education programme in 2021 following the Covid pandemic, and “facing an increasingly challenging economic environment”, the trust now “needs to consolidate assets, reduce operational costs, and reinvest resources into its core nature-friendly farming initiatives”, its statement says.

It has identified Turnastone “as the most appropriate property for disposal during the first phase of portfolio consolidation”.

Bordering the river Dore, most of the 247-acre water meadow farm has not been ploughed for over 400 years, the trust’s website says, adding it bought the farm in 2003 “when its ancient meadows were at risk of being turned into potato farms”.

It explained the farm building’s “current use restriction limits its viability and marketability”, hence the need for an official change of use “to ensure its continued and sustainable use”.

Comments on the planning application can be made until April 26, with a decision due by May 15.

The farm does not yet appear to have been put on the market.