Change of use of agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses

Permitted development rights exist under Part 3 Class Q of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) 2015 (GPDO) to allow the change of use of existing agricultural buildings and land not exceeding 465 square metres of floor space to a maximum of 5 dwellings.

It also includes provision for the building operations reasonably necessary to convert the building.

For these permitted development rights to apply:

• The building concerned must not be a listed building, be in a conservation area, Saltaire World Heritage Site, site of special scientific interest, safety hazard area or a scheduled monument. 
• The building must be solely in agricultural use as part of an established agricultural unit on 20 March 2013, if not in use on that date when it was last used or if the use began later than that date, for a period of at least 10 years. 
• The cumulative number of larger separate dwellings must not exceed 3 or the cumulative floor space of dwellings not exceed 465 square metres.
•  The cumulative number of smaller separate dwellings must not exceed 5 or the floorspace of any separate smaller dwelling not exceed 100 square metres of floor space.
• The floorspace of any dwelling must not exceed 465 square metres.
• If the site is occupied under an agricultural tenancy the express consent of the landlord and tenant must be obtained. 
• Agricultural development under Class A(a) or Class B (a) of Part 6 of the GPDO must not have been carried out in the established unit since 20 March 2013 or for at least 10 years prior to the development under Class Q commencing. 
• The external dimensions of the building would not extend beyond the external dimensions of the existing building. 
• The development together with any previous development under Class Q for a larger dwelling would not exceed 465 square metres of floor space.
• The cumulative number of separate dwellings would not exceed 5. 
• Building operations would only comprise of the installation of windows, doors, roofs, exterior walls, water, drainage, electricity, gas or other services to enable the building to function as a dwelling. 
• Building operations would only comprise of partial demolition reasonably necessary to carry out the building works permitted above.

The developer must notify the Council that they wish to change the use of the agricultural building and land to residential use and provide the following details:

1. A written description of the proposal including any building operations 
2. A plan indicating the site and showing the proposed development 
3. A statement specifying the net increase in dwellinghouses proposed by the development
4. A floor plan indicating the dimensions and proposed use of each room, the position and dimensions of windows, doors and walls, and the elevations of the dwellinghouses
5. A contact address for the applicant 
6. An email address if the applicant is happy to receive correspondence by email.

The Developer is also required to notify the Council if they wish to undertake any building operations in order to convert the property to residential use.

However, no fee will be payable where an application for planning permission relating to development of the same buildings or land is submitted at the same time as the prior notification application, by or on behalf of the same applicant.

Please note that the Council may require the submission of additional information reasonably required to determine the application including assessments of risks or impacts, statements setting out how risks are to be mitigated or details of the proposed operational development.

Development commenced under Part 3 Class Q of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) 2015 is liable to pay the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). More information about the CIL requirements can be found on the Community Infrastructure Levy Requirements page.

Application form

Apply via the Planning Portal