Ed Sheeran is seeking permission to transform six historic barns on a 17th-century Grade II-listed farm in Suffolk into storage space for a private music archive.

The Grammy-winning musician, 35, bought his £1.1 million, 400-year-old farm, close to his 16-acre Suffolk home, two years ago, and the latest planning application is part of his plan to continue to expand the creative hub surrounding his countryside estate - dubbed 'Sheeranville'.

Papers submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council, seen by the Daily Mail, show his latest vision of the estate and follow a recent approval to convert a 19th-century piggery and barn on the land into music studios.

The new proposal would see six adjoining outbuildings, some dating from as early as 1870 and now largely derelict, restored for use as archive and storage space for Ed and his family.

Planning documents submitted to the council quoted by the Mail state: "The proposed use of the outbuildings is storage/archive space for the owner/family only and there will be no additional vehicles, lighting, equipment installed."

After receiving pre-planning advice, Ed removed proposals to physically connect the barns to the main farmhouse.

Instead, the application promises repairs to the historic buildings, including the installation of new windows, doors and staircases while retaining "as much of the original fabric and form of the outbuildings as possible".

The planning application adds: "As a result the rural character of the outbuildings will be retained and the impact on the wider landscape is considered to be low."

Ecological measures also feature prominently within the submission.

Mid Suffolk District Council's ecology team has requested the installation of bat and bird boxes for sparrows, starlings and swifts, alongside bee bricks, green or brown living roofs "to support diverse habitats", as well as hedgehog-friendly fencing.

The council's highways department has also raised no objections, subject to a construction management plan and the condition a public right of way running through the farm remains unobstructed throughout the work.

An ecology report prepared by Liz Lord concludes there is a low risk of flooding and the proposals would have "a positive impact" on the historic site.

The report adds: "The main ethos of the proposed development is to reinstate the outbuildings in their original form - this will be achieved by restoring the partially deteriorated/collapsed elements to the form, scale and design of the original buildings."

Renovation work on the previously approved music studios has progressed slowly because contractors are required to use hand tools and operate under special conditions owing to the presence of protected Great Crested Newts, which also require licensed mitigation measures.

Ed has also committed to creating a species-rich flowering lawn featuring 19 varieties of flowers and planting 12 fruit trees as part of the wider environmental improvements.

The Mail earlier this week quoted an insider as saying: "Ed has huge plans for the property and is taking his time to ensure the end result is exactly what he wants.

"Each building will have a purpose, he's very particular about that, and it's all part of his masterplan to create the ultimate music hub.

"There won't be anything of its kind anywhere in the world - and it'll be right on his doorstep."

Ed lives nearby with his wife, Cherry Seaborn, 34, and their two daughters, aged five and four.

Alongside redeveloping the farm buildings into recording and rehearsal facilities, he has previously converted a former piggery into a leisure space featuring a bar, gym, pool table and bowling alleys.

The development comes during another busy period for the singer.

Ed recently joined the list of ambassadors supporting Ipswich's bid to become UK City of Culture 2029, reinforcing his long-standing commitment to his home county.

Speaking about the campaign, he said: "This town has shaped who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and it has an incredible community spirit.

"That's why Suffolk and Ipswich will always be where I call home."

Ed added: "Arts and culture should be accessible to everyone, and I know this title would help create even more opportunities for people in the local area. Let's do all we can to make it happen."

The proposals also come as Ed continues to build on a career that has made him one of Britain's most successful recording artists, with nine UK No 1 albums and 14 UK No 1 singles.

Best known for songs including Shape of You, Thinking Out Loud, Perfect, Photograph and Bad Habits, he has continued to tour internationally while expanding his creative projects in Suffolk, where he began performing in local venues before achieving global success.