Many traditional farm buildings have come to the end of their realistic continued use for agricultural purposes, and offer opportunities for alternative uses. These buildings which can then either be sold to release capital, or be retained to create a diversified income.
Residential conversion of Agricultural buildings
'Class Q'
Local Planning Authorities can often take an averse attitude to residential development in the open countryside. Opportunities can exist however in certain circumstances for the re-purposing of agricultural buildings to residential use.
One of the most significant opportunities embedded within the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) is the acceptance in principle that owners of agricultural buildings may be able to change their use to un-restricted dwellings under what is generally referred to as 'Class Q.'
The provisions of Class Q can be complicated, however if you have a structurally sound agricultural building of up to 465m2 which has been in agricultural use on or before 20th March 2013 and you are not located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or National Park, there may be an opportunity to change its use to residential. We can advise you on whether such an opportunity exists and how to take it forward.
Planning Policy
In certain circumstances, national planning policy supports the development of rural buildings. Your Local Authority may provide further, more qualified support for the residential use of rural buildings through its Local Plan.
Other rural buildings of heritage interest may also be candidates for residential re-use. In other circumstances, particular in the Green Belt, a more strategic, multi-stage approach may be appropriate.
The opportunities available to each rural building must be assessed on its individual merits and we can assist you with appraising all options.
Commercial use of rural buildings
National policy also supports the re-use of redundant or disused rural buildings and the provision of new buildings particularly for commercial purposes, farm diversification projects and the sustainable growth of the rural economy and particularly sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments which respect the character of the countryside.
Further opportunities exist under 'Class R' of the GPDO for the change of use of agricultural buildings to 'flexible commercial use', which can include, among other things, the use of agricultural buildings for for business, storage and distribution, hotels and assembly and leisure purposes.
Confirmation of current uses
Where a use has occurred for a number of years in a building or on a piece of land, for example a breach of a condition or the commercial or residential use of a farm building, we can also confidentially assess that instance with you and help you to decide whether an application to the Local Planning Authority to confirm the lawfulness of that use is now appropriate.
Residential conversion of Agricultural buildings
'Class Q'
Local Planning Authorities can often take an averse attitude to residential development in the open countryside. Opportunities can exist however in certain circumstances for the re-purposing of agricultural buildings to residential use.
One of the most significant opportunities embedded within the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) is the acceptance in principle that owners of agricultural buildings may be able to change their use to un-restricted dwellings under what is generally referred to as 'Class Q.'
The provisions of Class Q can be complicated, however if you have a structurally sound agricultural building of up to 465m2 which has been in agricultural use on or before 20th March 2013 and you are not located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or National Park, there may be an opportunity to change its use to residential. We can advise you on whether such an opportunity exists and how to take it forward.
Planning Policy
In certain circumstances, national planning policy supports the development of rural buildings. Your Local Authority may provide further, more qualified support for the residential use of rural buildings through its Local Plan.
Other rural buildings of heritage interest may also be candidates for residential re-use. In other circumstances, particular in the Green Belt, a more strategic, multi-stage approach may be appropriate.
The opportunities available to each rural building must be assessed on its individual merits and we can assist you with appraising all options.
Commercial use of rural buildings
National policy also supports the re-use of redundant or disused rural buildings and the provision of new buildings particularly for commercial purposes, farm diversification projects and the sustainable growth of the rural economy and particularly sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments which respect the character of the countryside.
Further opportunities exist under 'Class R' of the GPDO for the change of use of agricultural buildings to 'flexible commercial use', which can include, among other things, the use of agricultural buildings for for business, storage and distribution, hotels and assembly and leisure purposes.
Confirmation of current uses
Where a use has occurred for a number of years in a building or on a piece of land, for example a breach of a condition or the commercial or residential use of a farm building, we can also confidentially assess that instance with you and help you to decide whether an application to the Local Planning Authority to confirm the lawfulness of that use is now appropriate.
