Converting a barn into a home

Do you have your heart set on converting an old barn into your dream home? A barn conversion can be a perfect opportunity to create a flexible living space for the whole family. Then make hay while the sun shines and look no further than Class Q.

What is Class Q?

In short Class Q is a permitted development right that allows self-builders and landowners to convert disused agricultural buildings into homes. This means you are not required to submit a full planning permission application which can help to speed up the planning process.

Class Q of the General Permitted Development (England) Order 2015 allows farmers and landowners to convert agricultural structures into up to five homes per agricultural unit.

The amendment follows the government’s commitment to provide much-needed rural housing on redundant and underutilised land.

What buildings qualify for Class Q?

Class Q allows the conversion of agricultural buildings to dwelling houses subject to conditions and limitations.

To qualify for Class Q, according to legislation.gov.uk, the building in question must be an existing agricultural building of more than 10 years, have been used for agricultural purposes in the past, not be listed or located in a National Park, the Broads, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or a World Heritage Site.

Meeting Class Q

Recent changes made to Class Q permitted development rights also now require applicants to provide drawings with more detail. Floor plans, door, window and wall dimensions, elevations, natural light assessment, and the proposed use of each room need to be carefully considered.

All barn conversions have had to comply with minimum space standards since April 2021, which means that for new residential units to be created under Class Q permitted development rights, all proposed habitable rooms will have to meet a minimum standard set out by the government.

If you can meet those standards, you are able to convert your barn into up to three larger homes within a maximum of 465 square metres or up to five smaller homes each no larger than 100 square metres.

If Class Q is carried out from March 2023, agricultural buildings cannot have been constructed on the agricultural unit in the proceeding 10 years. This ensures that buildings are not initially built for the purpose of conversion to residential.

How to apply for Class Q

Class Q planning permission is applied for in the same way as other types of planning permission. You must submit a prior approval application to your local authority, along with any required supporting documents and fees.

The local planning authority will assess factors impacting transport and highways, noise, contamination and whether the location makes it impractical or undesirable to the local area.

According to legislation.gov.uk, your local planning authority is obliged to respond within 56 days of submitting your prior approval application.