What Is A Class Q Barn Conversion – Guide To Class Q Permissions

Posted on: 01 August 2024


Class Q Barn Conversion Guide


What is a Class Q barn conversion?

Class Q barn conversions are permitted developments – a barn conversion requiring no planning permission. Class Q’s were created to address the demand for housing in rural areas. This type of planning permission allows agricultural or farm buildings to be converted into residential properties, provided they meet specific requirements. Under Class Q, planning permission is not required for converting a building or land within its boundaries, nor for any necessary building operations to transform it into a Class C3 dwelling or home.

The introduction of Class Q permissions in 2014 changed the barn conversion landscape. In England, it is now possible to convert a barn into a residential property without applying for planning permission. This has made the process of planning a barn conversion in Yorkshire much more straightforward than it was just a few years ago.

Learn more about Class Q through the exploration of our team of award-winning architects. Read on for details.


Class Q Barn Conversions


With a Class Q conversion, one can effortlessly transform agricultural structures into beautiful Class C3 residential buildings without the hassle of acquiring planning permission. This fantastic permitted planning opportunity allows the farm buildings to be converted into stunning barn conversions and country residences, like this remarkable barn conversion in North Yorkshire, where our architects transformed a rustic wooden barn into a stunning four-bedroom home.

Read More About This Barn Conversion

Class Q Permitted Development - Most Frequently Asked Questions & Answers


  • Can you complete a barn conversion without planning?

    You can convert a farm building into a home dwelling as long as it falls under Class Q permitted development—an unlisted building that is not set in a conservation area or area of national beauty—and the barn building was used agriculturally on/before 20 March 2013 or for a minimum of ten years. There are some further restrictions, including the size of the new home being capped at 150 m².

  • What barn conversions require planning permission?

    Barns to be converted within areas of special interest, such as conservation areas, World Heritage Sites, AONB areas, and National Parks, require planning. Also, if your barn conversion will be used for anything other than a dwelling or if you intend to extend the building beyond 4 metres, then you need to check and most likely seek planning permission.

    Essentially, if your farm building falls outside of the Class Q permitted development rights criteria, you will require consent from your local council and need to submit a full planning application for your barn conversion. An example of this would be a listed barn building,

  • What are the rules to qualify for a class Q barn conversion?

    To qualify for Class Q permitted developments, it is necessary for the building to have been utilised for agricultural purposes for at least 10 years. However, certain exceptions should be taken into consideration. It is important to note that Class Q planning permission cannot be granted for buildings in natural beauty, national parks, or conservation areas or if the building has been designated as listed. Therefore, before proceeding with any development plans, it is advisable to carefully assess whether the property meets all the necessary requirements for Class Q permitted developments.

    Also, if a new barn was built under permitted development, you will need to wait for 10 years before you can begin a Class Q conversion.

    Under Class Q permission changes in 2024, you can now provide up to 10 new dwellings within 1,000 sqm of space on the site of your single agricultural unit and the maximum dwelling size is 150 sqm.

  • Can you extend a barn conversion under Class Q permitted development?

    Changes in 2024 now allow class Q barn conversions to benefit from a rear extension by up to 4m, but only on any hard surface to the rear that must have been present on or before 24th July 2023. If the hard exterior surface was not present before, it must exist for at least 10 years before a 4m extension is permitted to the rear of the barn or agricultural building. To add a 4m extension to a class Q barn conversion, your application must show that hard standing has existed since 24th July 2023, and you may need to prove it to your local authority. The hard standing material is not defined, so it does not have to be concrete.

    Otherwise, you can not extend the building itself, and the garden cannot be larger than its original size. Extension beyond this allowed rear area or the existing footprint will require additional planning permission, which can be challenging, particularly in rural areas.

    However, a class Q barn conversion can be transformed by making adjustments to the windows, doors, roofing, drainage, and other services. Additionally, limited demolition can be carried out under this clause.

     

  • How many homes can you build with Class Q barn conversions?

    If you’re considering converting an existing building into individual dwellings, knowing the limitations of Class Q regulations is essential. Before 2024, you could build up to five dwellings. The main difference in 2024 is that you can now build up to ten new dwellings with a maximum space of 1,000 m². The maximum size of any dwelling is 150 m², so to build ten equally sized new dwellings under Class Q, each one would be 100 m². However, note that you can only build up to ten dwellings per agricultural unit; you can not convert two barns on the same land into twenty dwellings under Class Q permitted development.

    (What is an Agricultural unit: “agricultural land occupied as a unit for the purposes of agriculture”)

  • Class Q regulations for foundations and flooring:

    During the conversion process, it is crucial to assess the structural integrity of the building to ensure it can support the changes without requiring extensive modifications. It is important to note that Class Q regulations do not permit the replacement of foundations or load-bearing flooring, and adding an extra floor to a barn can pose challenges. If these changes are necessary, it may be necessary to obtain full planning permission rather than relying on Class Q.ther than relying on Class Q.

  • What are the benefits of a Class Q conversion?

    One benefit of a Class Q conversion is the lower upfront cost. There are varying levels of detail and increased costs to obtain planning permission for property development. Class Q planning permission is more cost-effective than full planning permission and doesn’t demand as much technical specificity. Another benefit is that this type of permission allows for building homes in rural areas without an exception policy. Overall, it can be a practical and advantageous choice for those planning a property development project.

  • Is Class Q faster than full planning permission?

    A Class Q application is no faster than full planning permission, but it is less expensive. The primary purpose of this is to verify if your building was used for agricultural purposes during a specific time period. A decision on Class Q applications is typically made within 56 days, which is the same amount of time it takes to receive planning permission.

  • How to apply for a Class Q conversion?

    If your barn meets the criteria, you must submit a prior approval application to your local planning authority before proceeding with your conversion. There are two Class Q application options: The first option pertains to changing the use of the building from agricultural use to residential use as a dwellinghouse. The second option includes the development as well as any building operations necessary to convert the building into a Class C3 dwellinghouse.

    The option we see most frequently is the second option – unless you’re planning to only convert the interior of the barn without any external renovations.

  • What do I need to do for a Class Q barn conversion?

    Although you do not require planning permission, you must obtain a Lawful Development Certificate for a Class Q barn conversation, and there are some applications and steps you need to follow:

    1. You must have an architectural design that complements the original building structure.
    2. An appraisal of your site must be completed, including how accessible your site is and access to services.
    3. Consult with your local authorities to ensure no concerns over your site.
    4. Complete structural and viability reports for your barn conversion site and ecological assessment surveys to validate its appropriateness.
    5. You will still require building regulations.

    If you work with an architect, they will handle the application and these elements to ensure a smooth process for your class Q conversion.

  • How many properties can I convert under Class Q?

    With Class Q, you can convert up to ten new properties; previously, this limit was five. You can choose from dwellings of various sizes, but each can not exceed 150 m². It’s worth noting that you can develop mezzanine levels on the floor space you convert, not just on the ground floor.

    A significant difference in 2024 is the size of your barn conversion. A single dwelling is capped at 150m2, whereas this previously was a maximum of 465m2. While you can now build more barn conversion homes across a larger overall area of 1000m², any larger individual barn conversion home will now require planning permission.

     

  • What planning do I need to convert a farm building into a commercial building or shop?

    If you are looking to convert your barn into an office, shop or even hotel, then look at Class R. It may be covered by both Class Q and Class R if you have more space than is allowed under Q. An important distinction between Class R and Class Q is that Class R only allows a change of use, not operational development.

    Class R covers development consisting of a change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from use as an agricultural building to a flexible use falling within Class A1 (shops), Class A2 (financial and professional services), Class A3 (restaurants and cafés), Class B1 (business), Class B8 (storage or distribution), Class C1 (hotels) or Class D2 (assembly and leisure) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order.

     


The Future Of Class Q Barn Conversions


The regulations for obtaining planning permission, particularly for rural projects, are regularly reviewed and updated. In the future, the limitations on Class Q barn conversion development may be loosened to enable larger properties. In addition, due to growing demands from the government and citizens to improve housing availability throughout the nation, our analysts predict a significant shift in greenbelt planning policies that could permit development on greenbelt territory in the near future.

If you have a barn conversion project in mind for the York, Harrogate, or Leeds areas, our team of specialist architects in Yorkshire is here to help. We’ll expertly guide you through every step of the planning process and help you achieve your project goals. Contact us today to start your journey.

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