LAND at a farm could be transformed into a bespoke wedding venue.

A planning application has been submitted to West Berkshire Council to change the use of Shalford Farm, in Shalford Hill, near Brimpton.

The application seeks to use the land to create a mixed-use development comprising of a bespoke wedding retail and showcase space, an estate farm shop, overnight accommodation, a bakery and cookery school, restaurant, and a yoga studio.

Although not a listed building, Shalford Farm is an important heritage asset within the area dating from the late 18th century.

In recent years the farm has fallen into a general state of disrepair with the aesthetics compounded by various modern interventions to the buildings by the tenants.

Shalford Farm forms part of the Wasing Estate and is currently let to tenants including a scaffolding company, car repair workshop and a small business unit.

A planning statement read: “The Great Barn will be retained and renovated to become the focal point for the development of Shalford Farm and will become the main arrival point for all guests and visitors to the site.

“The restaurant provides 75 covers and will change depending on the time of day from serving breakfast, coffee and cakes, light lunches and dining in the evening.”

The Dutch Barn area will provide the primary bespoke wedding retail and exhibition space as part of the redevelopment.

It is proposed that the ground floor of the Dutch Barn will be used as the farm shop, a barbers, florist and yoga studio.

The planning statement added: “The Dutch Barn will have a steel frame and exposed steel trusses to support the curved roof. The building will be clad in a mix of corrugated metal cladding, timber and brick that echoes materials commonly used in barn construction.”

If approved there will also be a rearranging of the current car park to focus around the Great Barn.

The proposal sets to provide the farm with a platform for the diversification of the estate to ensure its longevity and the upkeep of its assets.

A design statement submitted read: “These proposals for developments at Shalford Farm represent a clear and viable proposition to secure a long-term and sustainable future for this important heritage asset.”

To find out more go to publicaccess.westberks.gov.uk and search for 18/02635/COMIND.