New plans to build homes on Tony Martin's Farm in Fenland

Proposals to convert barns at Cow Croft Field farm at Emneth Hungate, near Wisbech, were withdrawn last month after officials raised concerns over the impact the development would have on wildlife.

Now Jacqui and David Wadsley, who inherited the property also known as Bleak House Farm after Mr Martin passed away 18 months ago at the age of 80, have launched a fresh bid.

This time four homes are proposed under so-called permitted development rights, which allow farm buildings to be converted into housing without going through the full planning process.

And an ecological survey has concluded the scheme would have a "negligible" affect on protected species including bats and badgers.

A fresh bid has been launched to turn barns at Cow Croft Field Farm into homes (Image: Chris Bishop)

An architect's drawing showing how one of the barns would look after being converted (Image: Swann Edwards)

The second barn which could be converted (Image: Swann Edwards)

Plans earmark two buildings on the site for conversion, which stand along the main access road onto the property from Smeeth Road.

Drawings show one would be turned into two four-bedroom properties, while the other would become a three and five-bed home.

The Wadsleys' application says the change of use would not increase traffic on and off the site compared to the buildings' former agricultural use.

Jacqui and David Wadsley, who inherited Tony Martin's farm after he passed away in Ferbuary, 2025 (Image: Facebook)

The entrance to Cow Croft Field Farm at Emneth Hungate, near Wisbech (Image: Chris Bishop)

A drawing showing the layout of the site (Image: Swann Edwards)

Nearby Bleak House, where Mr Martin turned his shotgun on two intruders, killing 16-year-old Fred Barras and wounding his accomplice Brendan Fearon, then 29, is not included in the plans.

The shootings, which happened in August, 1999 sparked a national debate over the amount of force householders could use to defend their properties.

Mr Martin, then 55 was jailed for life in April of the following year after being convicted of murder by a jury at Norwich Crown Court.

Fred Barras, 16, who died in the shootings at Bleak House (Image: PA)

Brendon Fearon, who survived the shootings at Bleak House (Image: PA)

Police outside one of the barns which could now be converted into homes (Image: Newsquest)

But the farmer, who had become a folk hero in the eyes of many, appealed. And in October, 2001, the Court of Appeal reduced the conviction to manslaughter and cut the sentence to five years, making him eligible for release in 2003.

Mr Martin remained coy in his later years regarding who he planned to leave his estate - said to be worth £2.5m - to.

But when his will was published in February, it emerged that he had left his fortune to Mrs Wadsley, who he befriended after his release whilst drinking in the Hare and Hounds pub which she ran at the time in Wisbech.