New farm shop and cafe planned at historic Oxfordshire site

An application has been lodged with Vale of White Horse District Council to convert several buildings at Pidnell Farm near Faringdon.

The historic site has been a farm for over 400 years having been purchased in 1616 by John More MP before being passed to his daughter, the wife of Richard Atkins, a Royalist Civil War Captain and writer.

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The proposals, which form part of the masterplan for Pidnell Farm operations, would see agricultural buildings converted to provide a farm shop, cafe, butchery, farm office and associated stores, as well as a one bed residential unit.

Pidnell Farm, Radcot Road, near Faringdon (Image: Marriotts Property LLP)

The design and access statement states: "The proposals submitted under this application involves the conversion of a series of existing listed barns, and the front and rear extension of a modern C20 barn to form a new farm shop, cafe and butchery with associated parking, landscaping and drainage works."

The existing agricultural barns are redundant in use, with a car park also being proposed as part of the application.

The statement said: "The proposals represent a significant opportunity to invest and create a sustainable future for Pidnell Farm.

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"In turn, this will repair, upgrade and protect the existing heritage assets on the site for future generations."

They added: "The proposed development and farm shop/cafe would assist the local rural economy and would meet the Farm’s need to diversify its operations, offering local produce for sale in this part of the countryside."

The planning application (P26/V3249/LB) is open until October 8, 2026.