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Acorus Ltd

The Official Acorus page - National Chartered Surveyors and Rural Planning & Design Consultants.

Acorus are a national company specialising in rural development. We specialise in a variety of planning matters and can take a project from inception to completion, and eventual sale if so desired. We have 2 main offices covering the whole of the UK : -
Our South & East office is based in Bury St Edmunds - 01284 753271
Our South West office is based in Exeter - 01392 873900

03/09/2026

As the holiday season starts to wind down, it’s a good time to start thinking about next year.

If you’ve been considering diversifying the farm with camping, glamping, a farm shop, holiday lets or something completely different, now is the time to start looking into it.

These projects can take longer than you might think. Planning permission may be needed, and depending on what you’re looking to do, you could also need design drawings, surveys, ecology, BNG, access and drainage information or other reports. Some surveys can only be carried out at certain times of the year, so leaving everything until the last minute can quickly cause delays.

There’s also the time involved in speaking to the planning authority, preparing an application and waiting for a decision.

With the pressure on farm incomes continuing, diversification is something we’re likely to see more and more of. But getting the right project in place takes planning.

If diversification is something you’ve been thinking about, why not start the conversation now rather than waiting until next spring?

24/08/2026

NPPF 2026 – what could it mean for rural planning?

The Government’s reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework could have significant implications for agriculture, rural businesses and countryside development.

🌾 Greater support for agricultural development and farm modernisation
🏭 Stronger support for rural businesses, investment and diversification
🏡 A clearer approach to housing delivery and sustainable development
🌱 A new approach to development outside settlements through proposed Policy S5
⚡ Continued support for renewable energy and infrastructure
🟢 Changes to Green Belt and Grey Belt policy
🌳 Continued protection for important environmental assets

For rural landowners and businesses, the key message is that the Framework places greater emphasis on supporting rural economic activity, agriculture and appropriate development, while still requiring proposals to address environmental, landscape, transport and other planning considerations.

21/08/2026

Glasshouse conversions are on the rise.

We’re delighted to share an exciting next step for one of our clients’ projects. Building on the success of the Class Q consent to convert a glasshouse, we have now progressed to an improved version of the scheme as a fallback proposal.

Acorus previously secured Class Q consent for conversion to a dwelling, establishing the principle and providing the framework to bring a new home forward on the site.

We have now taken the opportunity to put forward a knockdown and rebuild proposal to committee, retaining the broad principles and character of the original design while improving the overall quality of the building.

The proposal also looks at the wider site, with several of the surrounding buildings proposed for removal. This creates the opportunity to provide more generous amenity space around the new dwelling, resulting in a better setting and a more enjoyable home.

A great example of how a successful Class Q strategy can provide the foundation for an improved, high-quality new dwelling even for glasshouses.

10/08/2026

Our exterior moodboard explores materials, texture and colour that create timeless, low-maintenance architecture rooted in its surroundings.

Thermally modified Brimstone Ash and Western Red Cedar offer durable, naturally weathering timber cladding, while environmentally conscious finishes and charred timber (Yakisugi/Shou Sugi Ban) provide enhanced durability with rich, textured aesthetics inspired by traditional agricultural buildings.

For lower-maintenance solutions, fibre cement and timber-effect cladding deliver the appearance of timber with exceptional longevity. Corrugated fibre cement also references rural agricultural architecture and can often be reused on renovation and Class Q projects.

Natural materials such as stone, flint, brick and clay tile hanging add warmth, texture and a strong connection to local vernacular, while darker timber tones help buildings sit comfortably within the landscape.

Often, just three carefully chosen materials such as timber, stone or brick, paired with dark-framed glazing and considered planting, are enough to create balanced, contemporary exteriors with lasting character.

04/08/2026

Josh Trump graduated last month with an MArch – Master of Architecture.

He has undertaken this as a Graduate Apprenticeship – attending the University of the West of England, Bristol one day a week whilst working within our Acorus Design Team for the other 4 days.

He has had projects to complete that have not necessarily fitted with the projects we do on a daily basis, so has had to put in additional time after working hours to complete the qualification.

31/07/2026

BNG Update: New rules from 6 August 2026

The Government has announced changes to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) that could make planning simpler for some developments.

Key changes include:
• New exemption for sites of 0.2 hectares or less (subject to conditions)
• Temporary developments restored within 5 years may also be exempt
• Greater flexibility for minor developments to use offsite BNG
• Removal of the self-build exemption

These changes apply to new planning applications submitted on or after 6 August 2026.

Not sure what this means for your project? Acorus works with a trusted network of specialist ecologists across the UK to help determine whether your development is exempt, arrange surveys where needed, and coordinate the right ecological support from start to finish.

Get in touch to discuss your project.

24/07/2026

A new slurry lagoon has been approved in the East as part of changes to a large-scale pig farming operation. The site, which rears and finishes thousands of pigs each year, houses its pigs on a straw-based system and will now have a dedicated facility for storing the manure produced on site.
There is currently no slurry lagoon at the farm, but the installation has been required by the Environment Agency to help meet environmental regulations. The approval marks another significant development for intensive livestock farming in the area.

13/07/2026

As hosepipe bans come into force for some of the uk county’s, climate change continues to be the on going challenge for UK farmers. From heavier rainfall and flooding to prolonged droughts and unpredictable growing seasons, farmers are facing increasing pressure to adapt.

Many of the solutions such as on-farm reservoirs, modern agricultural buildings, renewable energy installations, farm diversification projects and flood resilience measures require planning permission before they can become a reality.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) supports sustainable rural development and recognises the importance of helping rural businesses grow, adapt and become more resilient. Navigating the planning system, however, can be complex and time-consuming without the right expertise.

That’s where we come in.

We help farmers, landowners and rural businesses prepare and manage planning applications that support long-term resilience and future-proof their operations.

Whether you’re looking to install solar panels, construct a new agricultural building, create water storage, or diversify your farm, securing the right planning permission is often the first step.

Investing in the right planning and design strategy today could help protect your farm for the challenges of tomorrow.

Get in touch to discuss your project and discover how we can help turn your plans into approved developments.

02/07/2026

Acorus will be at the RWAS on Tuesday 21st July and Hazel can be found at the NFU Cymru Building.

Speak to Hazel about....
Farm buildings
Agricultural dwellings
Removal/variation of planning conditions
Agricultural occupancy ties
Diversification schemes
Barn conversions
Replacement dwellings
Permitted development rights
Planning Enforcement
Planning Appeals
And any other types of land use planning projects.

She will look forward to seeing you there!

25/06/2026

Progress images highlight an exciting fallback scheme delivering two bespoke self‑build homes now emerging on site.

Evolving from an approved Class Q barn conversion, the project has been reimagined into a bold, site‑responsive design that unlocks the full potential of its rural setting.

The contemporary homes maximise views and performance through a fabric‑first approach, insulated timber‑frame construction, timber cladding, and standing‑seam metal detailing.

With upside‑down living, the upper‑level spaces capture the gardens, while full‑height vaulted ceilings create bright, expansive interiors.

In-house renders & progress photographs

Address

The Old Market Office, Risbygate Street
Bury St. Edmunds
IP333AA

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://acorus.co.uk/

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