Conversions of agricultural buildings to new homes / Class Q
Planning policies now are often very in favour of the conversion of agricultural buildings, including barns into new homes but this doesn't seem to be widely known. It is often still presumed that to build a new home in the open countryside is very difficult. Whereas in fact national planning policy positively encourages the re-use of of rural buildings for residential use. Indeed, in certain circumstances, it can even be done without requiring planning permission, so called 'Class Q' permitted development. It can also be surprising what kind of buildings may qualify.
That said the area can still be complicated and often local policies can muddy the water, and even where permitted development does apply often some form of prior approval is required which needs a lot of boxes to be ticked and justifications to be made.. So its best to get expert advice. Being based in a rural area and with over 11 years experience in planning and housing in the south-west, Roseland Planning are well placed to provide expert advice and make crucial connections, for example with suitably experienced and creative architects.
