Class Q regulations are an important part of planning law and are something that we are very familiar with here at English Architectural.
What is Class Q?
In essence, Class Q refers to the conversion of barns and agricultural buildings into dwellings. Falling within the realms of Permitted Development, Class Q does not require full planning permission, but instead the approval of a prior application to the local authority.
What criteria need to be met?
In order to qualify as Class Q, certain criteria must be met. These include, but are not limited to:
Building type: The existing building must be agricultural, for example a barn, table or farmworker’s building.
Agricultural use: The building must have been used for agricultural purposes on a specific date (the date has changed since the regulation were updated earlier this year).
Development limits: There are restrictions on the amount and size of proposed dwellings. These have recently been updated, as mentioned below.
What is prior approval?
As Class Q doesn’t fall within the remit of standard planning applications, a prior approval application should be submitted.
This should be submitted to the local planning authority, who will then assess it against several factors. These include:
Local impact: Unsurprisingly, they will take into account any potential impact on local roads.
Flood Risk: The planning authority will also consider whether the site is susceptible to flooding.
Impact on neighbouring properties: As with all applications, potential impact on nearby properties will be considered. Things like noise and light pollution are taken into consideration.
Aesthetics and external appearance: The decision will also take into account the design that is being proposed, and consider whether it is in keeping with the character of the local area.
Changes to Class Q
Amendments were made to Class Q in April 2024, taking effect a month later. The main change is in regard to the size of dwellings, with the space that can be converted changing to 1,000 sq metres. Each individual dwelling, however, must now be no more than 150 sq metres in size.
Until May 2025 it is, however, possible to apply for any development which would have complied with the old rules.
Another change worth noting is that buildings don’t technically need to be ‘agricultural’ to be converted, they simply need to be on an ‘agricultural unit’.
This means that mixed use buildings situated on agricultural units could now be suitable for a change of use.
Think you might have a suitable building?
If you have a barn, stable or other agricultural building that you wish to convert into a dwelling, we can help.
With over 30 years of experience in successful applications, we can guide you through every step of the process to maximise your chances of success.
Get in touch today or call us on 01787 475588.