How does Class Q Permitted Development work?

The procedure has two stages. The first stage is to notify the Council that a change of use is proposed under Class Q (a). The second stage, only possible if the principle has been agreed, is to seek agreement to the actual proposed design and external appearance of the conversion under Class Q (b).

How long does the Class Q approval process take?

The Council only has 56 days to make their decision for Class Q(a). After that it benefits from 'deemed consent' for the conversion and any necessary building works provided they are within the scope of class Q.

Can permission be given to convert separate barns?

Yes, but no more than a total of 10 new Class Q dwellings are allowed on the farm. Open sided barns, such as many Dutch barns, can qualify for converting under the new rules.

Where do Class Q planning rules not apply?

This prior approval procedure only applies in England and does not apply to areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), National Parks and Conservation Areas, listed buildings, scheduled monuments, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), safety hazard areas or military explosives storage areas. The new rules do apply to barns in the Green Belt.

Will the converted barn still have to look like an agricultural barn?

The Council can assess the design and external appearance of the existing building. Windows and doors can be added as part of the conversion design.

How detailed do the architectural plans have to be?

There don't have to be any architectural plans at all for stage one, but they are essential for stage 2. Those plans would have to be sufficiently accurate and to scale and show all elevations proposed and existing.

Could it be a fairly new barn?

If a building has been constructed and used in farming before 20th March 2013, then an application for a conversion can be made. If the building was constructed after that date, you'd need to wait 10 years before making the application.

What does 'barn' really mean? How about redundant grain silos?

It has to be an agricultural building as opposed to a structure used in the farming industry, so silos would most probably get a 'No'.

How easy would it be to get 'ordinary' planning permission for an extension on a barn?

It's possible but not always easy. It would depend on what is proposed; as a rule of thumb the more modest the proposal the better the chance, and this will vary from council to council.

If successful, would it affect normal agricultural permitted development?

Exercising Class Q in respect of any building will suspend normal agricultural permitted development rights for a period of ten years from completion. You may wish to ensure you have adequate replacement facilities in place prior to submission.

Could the barn be falling down?

It may currently look a mess, but it's the building's basic underlying structure that matters. Its main framework must be sufficiently robust for conversion to a habitable dwelling without the construction of new structural elements. The building does not even have to have full existing foundations or an existing concrete slab base so long as the foundations of the framework itself are in good shape.

Is a barn conversion still possible at a remote or 'unsustainable' location?

The Government has clarified that 'undesirable' and 'impractical' has more to do with being difficult to access by road or close to an area where its quality of amenity would be poor due to adverse environmental effects (noise, smells etc). A remote or isolated location is not now automatically ruled out.

What about a site with contamination or flooding?

It is good practice to submit details at stage one to demonstrate there are no concerns and prevent the Council refusing consent due to 'lack of information'. If the barn is in flood zones 2 or 3 you will need to submit a site specific flood risk assessment upfront.

How small could the barn be to convert?

There isn't a lower limit however it must be at least a 1 bed unit otherwise it would be 'impractical or undesirable'. It must also have some kind of curtilage and outlook, space for bins, etc.

If successful would it have an agricultural occupancy condition?

Although it is quite rare, some councils impose agricultural occupancy conditions where they consider it necessary due to such things as the close proximity of other farm buildings which are still used for animals. This may also be done via a Section 106.

What about rural barns that are not agricultural or do not qualify?

It is still possible to get 'ordinary' planning permission to convert other barns in the countryside into homes. The 'rule of thumb' is that the barn concerned must be structurally sound and is either of some architectural, historic or landscape merit.

What about garden and parking space?

Basically this must be no more than the curtilage of the building, which may be quite generous. The rules do make some provision for the inclusion of extra land not actually in the building's curtilage, so long as the land is no larger than the area occupied by the building and where that land is immediately beside or around it.

Can the barns be used for other uses?

Yes, there are other rules (Class R) which allow agricultural buildings under 500 sq. m. to change to a flexible commercial use, including retail, financial and professional services, café, business, storage and distribution, hotels, assembly and leisure uses, as well as schools and nurseries.

Expert Planning Permission, Appeals and Objections in London

Securing planning permission in the Capital requires deep local knowledge, which is why AFA Planning Consultants features an expert team of London planners.

London Planning Consultants

At AFA Planning Consultants, our ultimate goal is to help residential and commercial clients secure planning permission, win appeals, and successfully object to planning applications. Our unique team of senior Chartered Town Planners (MRTPI) work or have recently worked inside London planning departments, giving you unmatched policy insight. We always ensure that our Planners never work on any case that is directly in their Council area or where there may be a conflict of interest.

The AFA Advantage: Why Our Team is Unique

Standard planning consultancies cannot match the inside knowledge of our team.

• Council-Level Insight: All members of our London team are carefully selected senior council planning officers who currently work, or have recently worked, for the London Councils.

• Strict Conflict Protections: Our planners never handle a case directly within their own council area or any project where a conflict of interest could arise.

• Elite Qualifications: Every senior planning consultant holds full professional qualifications and is a Chartered Town Planner with registered membership in the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Navigating London’s Complex Planning Laws

Our planners operate at the sharp end of implementing planning policy and law. We have extensive, up-to-date experience with the special circumstances that apply to London projects, including:

• Navigating the strategic rules of The London Plan.

• Borough-specific Local Plans, conservation areas, and listed buildings.

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You will always find that our planners are friendly, confident, and approachable right from your initial enquiry through to the conclusion of your case.

Transparent Fees with No Surprises

We believe high-quality planning advice should come with financial clarity:

Clear Quotations:

We always provide clear fee quotations before starting any work.

Capped Fees:

To protect your budget.

Honest Invoicing:

If a project takes less time than expected, we invoice you for less than the quote.

Planning Appeals: Key Questions Answered in our FAQ's

Can a current council officer legally help with my planning application?

Yes. Our planners never work on cases within their own employing borough. This ensures a completely legal, ethical service with zero conflicts of interest while giving you expert insight into how council committees make decisions.

What sectors do your planners cover?

We cover both the residential sector (such as home extensions, conversions, new builds and housing developments) and the commercial sector (including changes of use, office developments, and retail spaces).

How long does it take to get planning permission in London?

Most standard London planning applications take about 8 to 13 weeks for a council to decide, depending on the size of the project.

If your local Council refuses your application, you have the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. Our team of Chartered Town Planners will review your refusal notice, identify the council’s core objections, and build a strong appeal case. Our planners use their experience to prepare complete, error-free applications to avoid costly council delays.