On the 30th April the Government updated the legislation regarding Class Q permitted development rights (the conversion of barns and agricultural building to residential use) in the GDPO.
Prior to this, the legislation said that you could convert one agricultural unit to five small dwellings (floorspace below 100m2) or three large homes (floorspace more than 100m2) with the total floorspace of the three large properties not exceeding 465m2. A maximum of five properties was allowed and could include a mix of large and small properties up a maximum floorspace of 865m2.
However the new changes, which will come into effect from the 21st May 2024, will double this limit to 10 dwellings up to a maximum floorspace of 1000m2 and the maximum size of any dwelling can be up to 150m2. Meaning that if you were to take full advantage of the maximum units allowed it would means that each dwelling would average at 100m2 each.
Other changes are that you will also be permitted to extend to the rear of the barn or agricultural building by up to 4m on any hard surface to facilitate the conversion of smaller buildings; providing that the hard standing was present on or before 24th July 2023.
In addition, more barns now qualify under class Q including barns erected under full planning before 24th July 2023 - providing that you did not implement Class A or Class B of Part 6 (new or extensions to barns). Barns that are no longer used for agricultural purposes but have remained part of the agricultural unit (such as unused/empty barns) are also eligible for conversion. However, if you previously took advantage of Class A or Class B of Part 6 it will need to have existed for 10 years before you can take benefit from these changes. It also exclude barns that are used for equestrian purposes unless they are part of an agricultural unit.
Other conditions, as per the previous iteration of class Q in the GPDO, is that the existing building must be capable of functioning as a dwelling; meaning that the building as it stands must be suitable for conversion without a substantial amount of building work required and there must be a suitable existing access to a public highway.
More than one barn can be converted to create up to the maximum units allowed up to either 1000m2 or 10 dwellings. Therefore you will not be permitted to create 10 dwellings in your first barn and then again in your second barn - you are also not allowed to separate land titles to bypass this either!
Class Q will also not apply if the barn is listed or located in Conservation Areas the AONB, within a National Parks or the Broads, an SSSI and World Heritage Sites. It also excludes sites containing a scheduled monument and safety hazard areas.
In summary, even if you have been previously refused planning for your barn you could now get planning after these changes are implemented on the 21st May 2024. If you think that you could benefit from these changes please do not hesitate to contact Squires Planning to see how we can help.
