Supporting Growth and Diversification at Little Wytheford Farm

Simon Davies, alongside wife Amelia, is now the fourth generation continuing the family farming business at Little Wytheford Farm.

At Little Wytheford Farm, growth has come from both strengthening the core farming business and embracing new diversification opportunities. However, as this evolved, existing infrastructure was no longer meeting its needs.

Working alongside Simon, Howie, Kent & Co secured planning permission for two agricultural buildings that have since become a key part of the farm’s continued development.

The Challenge

Little Wytheford Farm is a mixed arable enterprise producing hay for the equine market. As the business expanded, a lack of suitable storage space was creating operational challenges.

“There wasn’t really enough storage for machinery, hay equipment or even the hay itself.”

At the same time, the farm was beginning to diversify. New ventures, including a wildflower business and seasonal pumpkin picking enterprise, were creating additional demands for flexible storage and operational space.

The need for new buildings was clear, but the planning route was not as straightforward as expected.

Navigating the Planning Process

Ordinarily, agricultural buildings of this nature may be delivered through a simpler prior notification process under agricultural permitted development rights.

However, due to the farm’s proximity to a nearby airfield, this route was not available.

As Tom explains:

“Ordinarily, with buildings like these, we’d try to use the 28-day notice process. However, on this site we were too close to an airfield, so that wasn’t an option. We had to submit full planning applications for both buildings.”

Working closely with Simon, Howie, Kent & Co prepared and managed the planning applications, demonstrating the operational need for the buildings and their importance to the future of the farming business.

With a clear business case and an established farming enterprise behind the applications, planning permission was successfully secured.

The Solution

The project was delivered in phases, allowing the farm to balance investment with operational requirements.

The first building initially began as a three-bay structure before being expanded to six bays as the business continued to grow. Alongside a second agricultural building, the additional space has transformed how the farm operates.

Today, the buildings provide secure storage for machinery, equipment and hay, while also supporting the farm’s growing diversification activities.

“Thankfully, in recent years we’ve diversified into our wildflower business and pumpkin picking, which has given us a massive benefit from having these buildings.”

During the pumpkin picking and wildflower walk seasons, the buildings are used to house displays and customer facilities. Throughout the year, they also provide accommodation for calves and cattle, alongside storage for machinery associated with the wider business.

The result is a flexible, multi-purpose asset that supports both agricultural operations and diversification enterprises throughout the year.

The Importance of Communication

Throughout the project, regular communication played a key role in ensuring progress remained on track.

As Tom explains:

“Whether it’s email, WhatsApp or phone calls, it’s important to have those conversations, get questions answered and make sure clients know they’re being listened to.”

For Simon, this responsiveness made a real difference.

“When I was firing over messages,

I was getting a response the same day or the next day. It wasn’t just a case of ‘yeah, okay.’ It was actual information that I needed at the time.”

A Collaborative Approach

For Simon, one of the biggest benefits of working with Howie, Kent & Co was being able to focus on running the farm while knowing the planning process was in safe hands.

“I knew what the business needed, but I wasn’t great at writing emails and knowing my way around farm planning. It was so easy to send Tom a WhatsApp message and say, ‘This is what I’m thinking’ or ‘Maybe we could start with this.”

By combining Simon’s knowledge of his farm with Tom’s planning expertise, the project progressed efficiently from initial idea through to successful delivery.

“Tom was focused on the planning, while I was focused on the farming and what our business needed. It just made the whole process much easier and helped us get to where we are now.”

Today, the two buildings form an integral part of the Little Wytheford Farm business.

They have provided the storage and operational space needed to support the existing farming enterprise while creating the flexibility required for future growth and diversification.

Reflecting on the project, Simon sums it up simply:

“Working with Tom and Howie, Kent & Co meant we could put these buildings up. They’ve enabled us to expand on what we’re already doing.”

The project demonstrates how the right planning advice, combined with a clear understanding of a client’s business objectives, can unlock opportunities that support long-term success.

For Howie, Kent & Co, it is another example of helping rural businesses secure the infrastructure they need to grow, adapt and thrive.