Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has submitted plans to convert six historic barns on his 17th-century farm in Suffolk, England, into a music archive. The Grade II listed farm, purchased by Sheeran two years ago for £1.1 million, is located near his main residence.
The proposed development would see the renovation of six adjoining barns, some dating back to 1870, which are currently in a state of disrepair. According to planning documents submitted to the local authority, the barns will be used for "storage/archive" purposes exclusively for the owner and their family. No additional vehicles, lighting, or external equipment are planned as part of the conversion.
Sheeran has consulted with local planning authorities and has opted against linking the barns to the main farmhouse. His application emphasizes a commitment to retaining as much of the original structure and character of the outbuildings as possible, including the insertion of new windows, doors, and staircases. The aim is to repair the deteriorated elements to match the original form, scale, and design of the buildings.
The plans have received initial approval from the highways department, contingent on a construction management plan and ensuring no obstruction to public rights of way. The council's ecology team has requested the implementation of environmental enhancements, such as bat and bird boxes, bee bricks, and green roofs to support local wildlife. Sheeran has also committed to creating a species-rich lawn and planting fruit trees.
This initiative follows Sheeran's prior success in obtaining permission to convert a 19th-century piggery and an adjacent barn into music studios. Construction work on these initial conversions has reportedly been slow due to the need for specialized measures, including the use of hand tools and obtaining licenses for the presence of protected Great Crested Newts.
An insider suggested that Sheeran has extensive plans for the property, aiming to create a unique global music hub. The artist, who lives in Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two children, has a significant property portfolio, including a Notting Hill mansion and an office building in Soho, along with numerous other properties in London and an Italian villa. He also recently was named an ambassador backing Ipswich's bid to become City of Culture 2029, highlighting his connection to his home county.