Barns Lane Farm land up for sale three years after development approval

A developer behind a major agribusiness and tourism project on the Sunshine Coast has revealed why its land parcel, once earmarked for a Bunnings, has been listed for sale again.

The plans for the Barns Lane Farm.

Development land that was poised for a major agribusiness and tourist venture has been put up for sale about three years after plans were given council approval.

The plans for 39 Barns Lane, Coolum Beach, a 6.83ha vacant development site, was approved by the Sunshine Coast Council in 2021 for the Barns Lane Farm, a food and produce hall, stage, nursery, a boutique hotel, restaurants, a distillery and breweries.

The project was spearheaded by Jason and Helen Grant and Jonathan Leishman.

It was also expected to offer parking solutions for parents who were dropping off and picking up children at the neighbouring Coolum State School.

Jonathan Leishman and Helen and Jason Grant were behind the Barns Lane Farm development.

The property has now been put up for sale by real estate agency JLL Brisbane.

Mr Grant said in a media statement on Monday the group have made the decision to sell in the light of other ongoing projects.

“Having acquired the Coolum site in 2021 and sharing its vision for the site’s potential, the developer’s long list of other Southeast Queensland projects means that a decision has been made to seek a new owner for the Coolum land parcel,” he said.

Mr Grant said in the release the real estate agency is handling the sale with an undisclosed asking price and is expecting high levels of local and international interest.

JLL Brisbane’s sale information states the land has council approval for “wide range of activities,” allowing buyers to alter the existing approval to their needs.

The Barns Lane Farm development was expected to be completed in late 2024.

The Barns Lane Farm Facebook paged last posted about its development in August 2023, stating its “soon-to-be-built” establishment would be the “upcoming destination of choice in 2024”.

Before the land was pitched for the Barns Lane Farm, former Maroochy and Sunshine Coast councils refused Bunnings’ three development applications to build a warehouse, service station and restaurant in 2006, 2012 and 2016 on the site, on the grounds the development did not comply with the planning scheme.

Property data shows the site was last sold in 2022 for $5,775,000 by Bunnings, which bought the land in 2011 for $9,075,000.

Developer Jason Grant and JLL Brisbane have been contacted for comment.

An expressions of interest campaign for prospective buyers closes on March 27.

Originally published as Barns Lane Farm land up for sale three years after development approval