Yard Division between Paull’s farm & The Old Dairy

1.1 Council Enforcement Action

Notice was received from HDC Planning department instructing the removal of dividing fence (approximately 2022)

Breach of notice would result in council action to remove the offending structure.
Circumnavigation of that enforcement notice was achieved after certain persuasion from the architect. However, the original breach “still stands” until corrected. 

This enforcement ought to have compelled a courtyard plan complicit with guidelines, instead there has been avoidance of any examination into legitimate design and layout. Reissue of the enforcement has not been prevented.

Consider implications of selling without getting this under control

1.2 the Apollo Saddlery conversion scheme

image A

“... the subdivision of the stableyard/courtyard by the 1.8m closeboarded fence causes harm to the setting of the Listed Building Paulls Farm. Please remove the fence and all posts, making good any post holes with a material to match the existing surfacing, within three months from the date of this email, and provide photographic evidence of this, otherwise the Council may take Enforcement action”
— Conservation officer HDC

1.3 Courtyard, farmyard, or equestrian entity?

Paull’s Farm should not be palmed-off to prospective buyers as a farm or equestrian entity. This sales-point is constricted by the HDC conservation order, which does not include permission for a contained, fenced-in farmyard as in its former life. Those standards were forfeited with conversion of the the link-attached building, formerly Apollo Saddlery, now The Old Dairy.

[locate the decision notice for the Apollo Saddlery conversion scheme cited in email]

1.4 How does Apollo Saddlery conversion scheme affect the use of Paull’s Farm outbuildings for the purposes of animal or equine husbandry?

The potential for community disruption high, without stipulating mutual responsibility at the outset, as well as fostering a sense of understanding regarding restrictions

Although equestrian property seekers are unlikely to accept a non-exclusive yard, they’ll see the nearby acreage as opportunity to evolve equestrian structures.


To facilitate the semblance of segregated use, and to enable both properties to co-exist - minimising risk and hazards - careful courtyard design is required. This can be done cleverly and economically in accordance with Apollo Saddlery conversion scheme.

“One important thing to mention is the Conservation Officer has made clear the inclusion of the close boarded fence, separating the plot at the rear, is detrimental to the setting the
listed building. They have, therefore, requested that it is removed as a matter of urgency. They have given a 3-month deadline for this, or they will be forced to issue an
Enforcement Notice. They ultimately do not consent to its inclusion with scheme.
”
— Ben Edwards, Associate, RITCHIE AND RITCHIE ARCHITECTS

Friday 6th June 2025 Telephone call to RITCHIE AND RITCHIE ARCHITECTS
Conversation with Ben Edwards, Associate;

As far as he knows ‘the fence is due to come down’
He will send any original documentation as requested by me.

Friday 6th June 2025 Telephone call to Harborough District Council
No-one available ffrom the planning department. Bu said t switchboard there is no current conservation officer. It’s a vacant job positian>
However, Sally Hartshorne, Heritage and Conservation Officer s.hartshorne@harborough.gov.uk 07935502967 will be back in the office from 07 June (doubt she’s at work on a Saturday)

Paull’s Farm yard does not have sufficient containment for large animals, if stipulations for The Apollo Saddlery scheme are to be adhered to

  • Heritage & council conservation codes disallow this fence

  • Triple stable fence aspect

  • Middle yard

  • Yard

  • Yard aspects

1.5 Restoration of the yard area

Has this been overlooked or is there a change to guidelines pertaining to Listed farmyards.
Aside from the obvious intent to sell quickly, is there any justification for neglecting the matter?

Impact of on HJG’s tenanted compound - coming
More on] Marketing mistakes - coming
No to 0.5 acre proposal - coming