A New Chapter for Matson Ground: Sharing Our Plans for Home Farm

We’re excited to share the next step in Matson Ground’s story: a planning application has been submitted to give some of our redundant farm buildings at Home Farm a new lease of life, supporting the future of farming while creating new opportunities for local businesses, employment and the wider community.

At this stage, no decision has been made. The application will now go through the Lake District National Park Authority’s normal planning process, which includes consultation with local residents, statutory consultees and other stakeholders before any decision is reached.

Below, you can read the full press release announcing the proposals, along with answers to some of the questions we anticipate people may have about the plans and what they could mean for Matson Ground, Home Farm and the local area.

PRESS RELEASE

30 July 2026

New life for redundant farm buildings.

Proposed plans support farming, local jobs and stewardship at Matson Ground, Windermere.

Matson Ground Estate Company, Windermere, has unveiled plans to breathe new life into redundant farm buildings at Home Farm through a farm diversification project that will support the future of farming, create year-round local employment and strengthen the Estate’s long-term organic stewardship of the land.

The Estate proposes to create a range of flexible workspaces, wellness facilities, offices and two indoor padel courts, whilst providing new, fit-for-purpose agricultural buildings to support the continuing farming operation. A planning application was submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority in July 2026, and a decision is currently awaited.

The proposals centre on the redevelopment of a farmyard that is no longer suitable for the farm’s current operations. As farming practices have evolved, the Estate has moved away from winter housed cattle, meaning several existing buildings have become too large or surplus to operational requirements and are now outdated for today’s farming needs.

Home Farm will remain a working farm. Agriculture will continue at the heart of the Farm, with new buildings improving day-to-day operations, livestock welfare and storage.

The diversification initiative will help sustain the wider work undertaken across the Matson Ground Estate. Projects already undertaken include wetland creation, wood pasture schemes, organic farming, biodiversity enhancement and supporting skilled rural employment that helps protect the landscape for future generations.

Madeleine Scott, Director of Matson Ground Estate Co, said:

“Our aim is to give new life to redundant farm buildings, supporting farming, local jobs, wellness and our continued stewardship of the land. As with everything we do here at Matson Ground, this is a carefully thought through decision.”

Alex Scott, Director of Matson Ground Estate Co, said

“Farming remains at the heart of what we do, but like many rural businesses we have to adapt to ensure the Estate remains sustainable for future generations. By bringing these surplus buildings back into productive use, we can continue investing in agriculture, caring for the landscape, creating skilled local employment and supporting the communities that make this part of Cumbria so special.”

The proposals seek to support sustainable rural businesses and employment, while helping secure the long-term viability of a family-owned working estate that continues to invest in farming, conservation and the local economy.

The development would represent a significant private investment in the local area and is expected to support up to 58 jobs once fully occupied. It will seek to provide flexible, year-round employment space for small businesses, makers, artisans, producers, wellness providers and rural office users.

-ENDS-

Notes

Matson Ground Matson Ground Farm has been run organically since 2000 with careful, sustainable principles at its core. Managed by Matson Ground Estate Company for over 100 years, they look after 550 hectares of farmland and woodland surrounding Windermere and 150 hectares at Braesteads Farm, near Patterdale. The farm is an upland pasture based system, which means livestock graze outside all year round, where possible. Stocking numbers are at a level that allows flora and fauna to thrive, whilst producing a sustainable red meat product from the sheep and cattle. With the support of Natural England, a recent wood-pasture creation scheme on School Knott and Grandsire has planted thousands of trees, enriching the eco-structure, promoting biodiversity and environmentally enhancing the area, for generations to come.

Matson Ground Home Farm Development – FAQS July 2026

What exactly is being proposed?

Matson Ground Estate is bringing forward plans to diversify part of Home Farm by replacing redundant agricultural buildings with high-quality rural workspace, makers’ units, wellbeing facilities, offices, improved farm buildings and a community padel court.

The project will create a modern rural enterprise hub while allowing the estate to continue investing in farming, biodiversity and landscape stewardship.

Is this another viable farm going from the Lake District National Park?

No. Organic farming will remain at the heart of Matson Ground Estate.

The proposals include new agricultural buildings and improved operational arrangements that separate farm traffic from visitor traffic, making the site safer and more efficient while allowing farming to continue alongside the new enterprise.

If this is a viable farm, why is this project needed?

Farming has changed significantly over recent years.

The existing buildings were designed for a farming system that is no longer in operation – where cattle spent time indoors over winter and storage was needed for feed, bedding and muck. Following a change in farming system, where native bred, hardy cattle graze outdoors all year round and sheep numbers have been reduced, these buildings are increasingly redundant. The estate wants to give the site a sustainable long-term future through diversification.

Income generated by the project will help support the ongoing management of the wider estate, its farming business and environmental work.

Is this just another commercial development?

No. This is first and foremost a rural diversification project for a long-established family run estate.

The proposals combine agriculture, rural business, wellbeing and recreation in a way that reflects how modern rural estates evolve to remain economically sustainable while continuing to manage the countryside.

How will local people benefit?

The project has been designed to create lasting local benefits by:

creating flexible workspace for local businesses and makers
supporting rural employment
providing new wellbeing facilities
introducing a padel court that can be used by local residents as well as visitors
helping secure the long-term future of farming and land management on the estate

Why include wellness facilities and padel?

The estate wants to create a destination that supports healthy living alongside rural enterprise.

The wellbeing facilities complement the makers’ spaces and offices, while the padel court provides a new recreational facility that local people and visitors can enjoy.

Together they broaden the appeal of the site and strengthen the local visitor economy.

What about the impact on the National Park?

This project has been designed to align with the Lake District National Park aspirations and policies, such as:

Supporting employment goals
Providing flexible, modern workspace for small enterprises and makers
Contributing to job diversification beyond tourism
Creating publicly accessible spaces, wellbeing‑oriented environments, or community‑supporting facilities
Improving local character, landscape integration, and sustainable access

Will traffic increase?

The proposals have been designed to improve how traffic moves around the site.

Separate routes are proposed for agricultural and commercial activity to reduce conflicts, while the access arrangements have evolved through detailed design work and pre-application discussions.

Pedestrian safety has also been considered, particularly where the new route crosses the Dales Way.

Is this replacing existing farm buildings?

Yes. The proposals replace ageing, low-quality agricultural buildings that are no longer suitable for modern farming or practical conversion.

The replacement buildings are designed specifically for their intended uses while reflecting the character of traditional Lake District farm buildings.