Duchy Join Forces With Chamberlain In Cheshire

The Duchy of Lancaster has entered into a joint venture agreement with Chamberlain Developments to restore a Grade II Listed farmhouse and develop a small number of disused farm buildings in the heart of leafy Cheshire.

Barthomley is a picturesque rural hamlet situated on the edge of the Duchy’s 1,380-hectare Crewe estate. It includes a number of seventeenth century black and white half-timbered cottages and buildings of local importance including Town House Farm, a brick-built Grade II listed property which was built in the early 18th century.  This large 7-bedroom farmhouse which has been owned by the Duchy since it acquired the Crewe estate in the 1930s is set in open countryside and includes a number of historic brick built barns and outbuildings.

The proposals put forward by Chamberlain Developments are for an exclusive development of eight prestige properties – seven luxury barn conversions and a full restoration of the original farmhouse. Work started on site in February 2018 and the scheme is expected to be completed by Summer 2019.

Commenting on the scheme, Duchy Head of Project Management Graeme Chalk said: “As a responsible and historic landlord, the Duchy is keen to ensure that any new development carried out in its name is of the highest quality design and specification. We want these homes to be sympathetic to their surroundings and heritage but to offer the comfort and convenience of a modern family home. A joint venture with the right partner allows us to remain involved throughout and to ensure that those high quality standards are achieved.”

Chamberlain Developments is a family-run business with over 20 years’ experience of building individually designed and award-winning homes for local buyers in Cheshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire. The properties at Town House Farm are expected to attract high levels of interest once released for sale, given the site’s unique combination of open countryside, access to local amenities and strong transport and communications links.