Kinross net zero rural hub given planning permission to expand

Orwell Farm, which was recently named Net-Zero Development of the Year at the 2025 Scottish Property Awards, has received approval for several key projects, including the creation of four new business pods and the relocation of Rosemount Nursery from its current base on Kinross High Street.

As part of the approved plans, Orwell Farm will deliver a change of use from office to nursery, enabling Rosemount Nursery to move to a purpose-built, outdoor-focused early years facility. The new setting has been designed to connect children with nature while providing first-class care and education.

Planning permission has also been granted for a new Class 4 industrial unit, which will provide a modern home for local furniture maker and circular economy business, Fabby Furniture. In addition, four new 50m² energy-efficient business pods will be developed, three of which are already let to The Pilates Lab, Edinburgh Film Company, and Frew Conservation, with one unit still available.

These additions build on Orwell Farm’s growing reputation as a hub for sustainable rural enterprise. Once a derelict steading on the banks of Loch Leven, the site has been reimagined as a modern, low-energy business community championing clean construction, circular thinking, and local economic resilience.

Lynsay Bell Manson, co-owner of Orwell Farm and director at Studio LBA, said: “We are delighted to secure planning for this next chapter at Orwell Farm. We can’t wait to welcome Rosemount Nursery and Fabby Furniture to Orwell Farm, alongside The Pilates Lab, Edinburgh Film Company and Frew Conservation. Together, they represent a diverse mix of small, independent Scottish businesses, further strengthening the community-focused ecosystem we are building here.

“Our vision has always been to create a place where businesses can thrive without compromising on sustainability, and the strong demand for our business pods shows there is real appetite for high-quality rural workspaces. This next phase is about building momentum and creating even more opportunities for rural enterprises to grow and succeed.” 

Each new development is designed in line with Orwell Farm’s net zero principles, employing high-performance materials, passive design, and on-site renewables wherever possible. These measures reflect the environmental integrity that earned the first phase of the project a net zero EPC rating.

Studio LBA, which operates as both anchor tenant and design lead for the project, continues to deliver on its mission of creating design-led, environmentally responsible spaces that reinvigorate Scotland’s rural economy.