Beautiful barns – if you are considering a conversion the regulations are changing

Barns make the most wonderful country homes, offering space, character and the opportunity for exciting architectural design.

But if this is something you have been mulling over it is important to be aware that permitted development (PD) rights for these conversions will shortly be changing.

Permitted development rights allow homeowners and self-builders to improve and extend properties without the need to apply for planning permission.

And Class Q allows the conversion of agricultural buildings into residential homes, subject to certain conditions and limitations.

Under the old PD rights, owners were able to convert an agricultural building into a single home but from May 2024 the regulations have been amended.

The general feeling is that the changes are reflective of the wider move to create more smaller homes in place of fewer larger ones.

A window of 12 months was given for the transition period between the old and new rights and this closes in May this year.

The changes include:

*An increase in maximum allowable dwellings within one barn rising from five to 10

*Maximum floor space for new dwellings becoming 1,000sq m

*The maximum floor space for individual new dwellings becoming 150sq m

*Single-storey rear extensions of up to 4m are now able to be added (if there is an existing hardstanding)

There are other factors about Class Q PD rights that are worth noting as well:

*Listed barns or those in protected or conservation areas cannot benefit from Class Q

*The site must have been part of an established agricultural unit until July 2023

*Barns must have suitable access to a public highway and comply with nationally prescribed minimum space standards

*Building work must be completed within three years – unlike standard planning permission, which must be started within three years

Planning regulations are tricky to navigate and there are many situations that either require full permission or where it is advisable.

Here at Howie Architects we have a deep understanding of the planning system and are highly experienced at working within it.

If you would like to discuss working on your beautiful barn conversion project with us, then please do contact us.