Polglaze

Overview

Polglaze Estate is a heritage redevelopment project in Cornwall, combining historic conservation with sustainable innovation. At its heart lies the Grade II listed farmhouse and surrounding farmstead, which will be restored and adapted to support the Innovation Nursery—a hub for research, climate-positive projects, and regional economic growth. The scheme balances respect for Cornish character with modern needs, delivering housing, event spaces, and business facilities that enable innovators, investors, and partners to embed within the community and accelerate Cornwall’s transition to net zero. The project faces complex interface of heritage, planning, and sustainability constraints. The farmhouse’s Grade II listing demands sensitive restoration, while ambitions for an extension require full planning consent and careful heritage justification. Located within the Cornwall National Landscape (AONB), the site must integrate the new development with its historic setting and farmland character.
Additional challenges include groundwater flood risk, Grade 3 agricultural land classification, and the need to relocate an agricultural shed to preserve views of 17th-century buildings. Key elements of the development include: The Farmhouse A historical stone barn A new build residential unit The rebuild of the current bungalow Balancing heritage conservation, modern functionality, and environmental responsibility, while meeting NPPF and Cornwall Local Plan requirements has required careful phasing, early engagement with conservation officers, and a design approach that celebrates authenticity while enabling future-focused innovation. Early and proactive engagement with heritage and planning authorities is essential. Listed building consent processes highlight the importance of detailed significance assessments and clear justification for any interventions. Investigative works revealed extensive damp issues, reinforcing the need for thorough condition surveys before design development. The Polglaze Estate highlights the importance of integrating sustainability narratives into heritage schemes, demonstrating that modern energy solutions and traditional aesthetics can coexist. Collaborative design workshops help reconcile conservation priorities with functional requirements, ensuring that new-build elements respect the AONB context. Phasing strategies are critical, advancing the manor and bungalow first enable early wins while allowing time for complex barn and new-build approvals.
Polglaze St Austell
Polglaze St Austell
Polglaze St Austell

Key Project Stages

Sensitive conversion of historical building
Grade II listed buildings
Complex interface of heritage, planning, and sustainability constraints
Sensitive restoration
Groundwater flood risk and Grade 3 agricultural land classification challanges
Early engagement with conservation officers
New-build elements need to respect the AONB context