Angus Raby (Chippenham) 

A review has been undertaken by the government about the state of a national shortage of affordable homes.  With the understanding being that they want to reduce the planning red tape that is slowing down the building of new properties.  This would apply to agricultural permitted development (PD) rights, allowing the process to be more efficient and hopefully more successful.  Allowing farmers to bring back the use of some of their buildings that are not part of their agricultural unit could also reduce pressure on developers building new homes on greenfield sites.

The first planned changes are to Class Q homes (agricultural buildings converted to dwellings), which is trying to encourage developers into creating a greater number of smaller available homes.  This will be achieved by allowing farmers to have a maximum number of homes per unit up to 10 and an overall maximum floorspace changing of use to 1000sqm.  Additionally, in each home they can have a maximum floorspace of up to 150sqm.

This said the building must be standing and not knocked down and rebuilt.  With the permitted works on a conversion being – installing/replacing windows and doors or adding water, drainage, gas, and electricity supplies.

There also seems to be the suggestions of rear extensions to Class Q conversions being allowed in the future, with this previously not being granted.  With single storey extensions up to 4m on the back of buildings, provided the land is hard surfaced and within the overall floorspace limit.

These proposed changes would also apply to AONB and national parks excluding the potential extension policy.

Finally, there are also changes being proposed for PD rights to Class R (change of use from agricultural to commercial).  Which would extend the legislation to buildings used for forestry and equestrian purposes to allow different uses e.g. outdoor sports or fitness use.  They would also allow a mix of uses and double the floor space up to 1000sqm.

These are proposed changes, however there is a strong consensus that these will happen, allowing greater opportunity for UK farmers to diversify and make better use their redundant buildings in the future.

For all your on farm planning permission and justification needs, contact Angus at angusraby@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office.