Fallowlees Farm Planning Approval
Northumberland charity farm receives planning approval for community kitchen and sleeping pods for their members.
Ryder Architecture has designed the much needed accommodation for West End Women and Girls Centre at Fallowlees Farm.
West End Women and Girls Centre, in Elswick, Newcastle, started the project in Northumberland in December 2021 and is the first National Trust farm to be leased to a charity. The farm offers women the chance to learn new skills, grow crops, raise animals and experience rural living.
Plans submitted by international design practice, Ryder, have been approved to refurbish an existing agricultural barn to provide residential and recreational space. Once complete, it will offer a safe space for women and girls to experience the wilds of Northumberland, with access to physical activities and a network of support.
The scheme comprises of three family bedrooms, new washrooms and a communal kitchen space. It will act as a base for the charity to continue to build its capacity by incorporating sustainable and organic farming techniques, alongside its own food production.
The approval was celebrated at West End Women and Girls Centre’s International Women’s Day event on 8 March 2025. The event marked a milestone for the charity as they announced the imminent start of works on the first phase of their project, supported by a generous £100,000 donation from The Barbour Foundation. The day also saw the introduction of their new patron, Jane Percy, Duchess of Northumberland DCVO. Among those in attendance were Dame Margaret Barbour and Northumberland’s Lord Lieutenant, Dr Caroline Pryer.
Scott Clark, who is leading the project at Ryder, said, “The goal is to offer a rural space that is accessible for women and girls from the west end of Newcastle. Getting away from the city, even for a short time, can provide opportunities for life changing experiences. We’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the farm’s impact first hand as volunteers, and we’re confident the new residential space will broaden the Centre’s ability to support its community.”
Sustainability and using a local supply chain were key drivers in the design development. The project will meet high performance requirements for operational and embodied carbon, use renewable energy sources and rainwater harvesting. Working with Black & White Engineering, the design has been optimised to remain off grid despite the increased capacity.
Huffty McHugh, Centre Coordinator at West End Women and Girls Centre, said: “We are enormously grateful that Ryder Architecture and a team of experts, including M&E specialists and a quantity surveyor, has produced a beautiful, sustainable design powered by renewable energy and the local supply chain. We couldn’t have got this far without Ryder’s support – they’re brilliant to work with, and we can’t thank them enough.”