Case Study: Class QA Barn, Shafford Farm, Redbourn Road, St Albans
This summer, Weldon Beesly were pleased to market an appealing residential opportunity that attracted significant buyer interest.
The Barn at Shafford Farm, positioned on the Redbourn Road just outside St Albans, offered a rare opportunity to acquire a former agricultural barn set in attractive Hertfordshire countryside. The barn enjoys uninterrupted views across farmland, with the River Ver running alongside.
Its peaceful semi-rural setting between the prestigious Childwickbury and Gorhambury Estates was a key selling point, while St Albans city centre remains within easy reach, offering an excellent range of schools, amenities and direct rail services to London St Pancras.
Prior Approval under Class Q(a) was granted by the Planning Inspectorate in April 2026 following a successful appeal. The approval confirmed the principle of converting the barn from agricultural to residential use, while further approval will be required for the detailed building works needed to complete the conversion. The consent provides a good foundation for the property’s future development potential, and prospective purchasers were advised to seek their own planning advice.
Interest came from private purchasers looking to create their dream home in one of the most attractive and picturesque locations around St Albans, as well as developers who recognised the value of the established principle of residential use.
Over the four-week marketing period, the property was promoted across Weldon Beesly’s website and marketing platforms, generating strong levels of interest. Demand was particularly evident from local developers and Hertfordshire-based purchasers, attracted by the site’s potential and unique setting. By the latter stages of the campaign, many prospective buyers had registered on Weldon Beesly’s online auction platform, and were fully registered to bid ahead of the auction date.
Competitive bidding drove the sale price to £406,000. Although the planning permission does not allow immediate delivery, the result reflects the market’s recognition of a rare opportunity to create a new home in a beautiful setting, and the work the vendor undertook to establish the principle of residential use.
The auction gave the sale certainty over timescales and brought together the interest generated during the marketing period on the day. For an unusual rural property with clear potential, it proved a very effective way to deliver a strong result for the seller.
