Cross Lanes Organic Farm Shop and Café

Brignall, Teesdale, County Durham

In 2011, Peter Coverdale switched from contractor to customer and fulfilled a life-long dream to build his own eco-friendly, organic farm shop and café at Brignall, Teesdale, County Durham.

This sustainable, eco-friendly build is Cross Lanes Organic Farm Shop and Café and it has been recognised by the RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors), the Soil Association, Countryside Alliance and Pasture for Life for its green build and contribution to the rural environment.

A former pig farm, the site of Cross Lanes underwent organic conversion and now houses a farm shop, restaurant and organic butchery.

Its living sedum and meadow turf roof is its focal point, providing a grazing space for sheep and a habitat for butterflies.

At the building’s heart is a wood fired oven used to bake bread, home cook pizzas and slow cook traditional meat dishes. Sustainability and environmental excellence lie at the heart of the Cross Lanes build.

Sustainable Ethical Construction

  • Solar panels heat the water
  • Air source heat pumps fuels underfloor heating
  • Straw bale wall insulation
  • Rain water harvesting system
  • Reed bed for sewage treatment
  • Outdoor compost toilet
  • Greenhouse permaculture thermal heating system and horticulture centre
  • Greenhouse is used to grow figs, lemons and peaches
  • A hybrid heater is used to burn waste
  • Reclaimed and restored brickwork and staircases from derelict builds
  • Free range pigs roam the meadow grazing on organic meadow herbs
  • Cross Lanes exclusively supports local food producers and suppliers

Cross Lanes is a special passion project and involved land conversion, reclamation of the natural environment and a space reimagined for discerning lovers of ethically produced and sourced food and drink.

We are built on expertise

This project was achieved with our expertise in the following areas.

Lime Plastering Low-Carbon Building Planning Roofing Stone Masonry Sustainable Building

Other Projects

Coverdale Hughes are specialists in the repair and restoration of historic buildings, private homes of distinction and bespoke property developments.

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