Double Success for Gillespies at Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire

The Tithe Barn, a Grade II* listed building on the Bolton Abbey Estate, has been granted 'European Protected Species Licence' by Natural England and 'Scheduled Monument Consent' by Historic England. The Chatsworth Trustees commissioned Gillespies to deliver a landscape and visual appraisal and landscape mitigation strategy to convert this building of national importance to a wedding venue. Our work ensured the scheme got planning permission, listed building consent, and a bat licence.

Tom Walker, Partner and project lead, commented:

"Although a relatively modest piece of work, this has been one of the most complex applications we have been involved with, given the iconic status of Bolton Abbey and its sensitivities. It's a listed building situated within a National Park and Conservation Area, with a colony of bats thrown in for good measure. The Tithe Barn has sat empty for decades, so it's fantastic that it's finally being reinvented so people can enjoy this fabulous building and its amazing landscape context."

Last week, we were also delighted to hear that Bolton Abbey and Bolton Bridge Landscape Capacity Study was allocated for Tourism development in the new Draft Craven District Local Plan. Our work was instrumental in gaining Historic England's support for the principle of making the area a better visitor destination, following years of work by the Estate and Gillespies. We must now ensure the policy is confirmed in any public examination to ensure the Adopted Local Plan includes the final policy.