Singer Ed Sheeran has been granted approval to convert six derelict barns on his Suffolk property into a music archive and a state-of-the-art recording complex. The 35-year-old musician acquired a Grade II-listed farm, dating back approximately 400 years, located near his existing 16-acre estate, which he has dubbed 'Sheeranville'.
This latest planning approval allows for the conversion of the six barns, some originating as early as 1870, to be used as 'storage space'. This follows earlier permission granted by Mid-Suffolk District Council to transform a 19th-century piggery and an adjacent barn into recording studios.
The development has drawn comparisons to EMI's iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, where The Beatles recorded much of their music. Planning documents state the barns will serve as "storage/archive space for the owner/family only and there will be no additional vehicles, lighting, equipment installed." Sheeran had previously abandoned plans to link the barns directly to the main farmhouse after seeking pre-planning advice.
Sheeran has committed to restoring the barns, preserving their original fabric and form while incorporating new windows, doors, and staircases. The council's planning officer noted that the proposal represents a "sensitive restoration and continued ancillary use of an established group of buildings within an existing residential curtilage," concluding that the impact on the surrounding landscape would be minimal.
Ecological assessments have supported the plans, indicating a low flood risk and a potentially positive impact on the historic farm. The development ethos prioritizes reinstating the outbuildings to their original form and design.
Renovation work on other outbuildings at the estate, intended for music studios, has been progressing slowly due to the use of hand tools and special measures required for protected Great Crested Newts, necessitating a specific license. Sheeran has also pledged to enhance the estate's biodiversity by creating a species-rich lawn, planting 12 fruit trees, and installing bat boxes and a sparrow tower.
Sheeran has amassed a significant property portfolio alongside his music career, which includes nine UK number-one albums and 14 UK number-one singles. In addition to his Suffolk holdings, he owns a £20 million mansion in Notting Hill and an £8.25 million office building in Soho. His London properties are spread across sought-after areas such as Covent Garden, Battersea, Kensington, Chiswick, and Whitechapel. He also owns a villa in Italy with its own vineyard.
Ed Sheeran married Cherry Seaborn in 2019, and the couple have two daughters.