Permitted development: conversion of agricultural buildings to residential use (England)

This Business Guide is a general overview, intended for those NFU members who wish to learn more about converting their redundant agricultural buildings to residential use (dwelling houses for a single person or by people living together as a family) under permitted development (Class Q).

Please note this guide does not cover other forms of rural housing or the conversion of agricultural buildings to holiday home use. Neither is it a comprehensive guide to planning law and policy.

When considering using Class Q permitted development rights on farm it is important for members to carefully assess whether the building can physically be converted, and that the conversion will not interfere with the day-to-day operation of the farm business. Class Q permitted development rights can be very useful in providing members with new residential accommodation on farm for themselves, their wider families and farm workers, without rural worker ties.

It is, however, always highly recommended that members consider engaging the services of a planning consultant because using Class Q may not always be the best option for a barn conversion scheme and a full planning application may be better (see our Business Guide, Permitted development: conversion of agricultural buildings to residential use).

To be eligible for permitted development rights a development must also comply with several limitations and conditions. Local planning authorities will require certain information which will allow them to assess the likely impacts regarding factors such as highways, noise, and flooding, and that the landowner make a simplified application to the local authority known as a prior approval application.