Time running out on Class Q Permitted Development Right for larger dwellings
January 2025
Quite unexpectedly, last April the Government introduced major changes to the ‘Class Q’ permitted development right, which allows the conversion of agricultural buildings to dwellings, subject to a ‘Prior Approval’ application.
The headline changes were the increase in the number of dwellings permitted within one agricultural unit from five to ten, although with that comes a restriction on floor area to 150 sq.m. per dwelling, and 1,000 sq.m. overall. Rear extensions have also been permitted, for the first time.
The clock has been reset, such that buildings only need to have been in agricultural use on or before 24th July 2023 to qualify. The legislation has also been widened to include non-agricultural buildings within a farm, and buildings that are no longer part of a farm, provided that they remain in agricultural use.
The permitted development right remains subject to strict criteria, with Listed buildings and barns within National Landscapes (formerly AONBs), Conservation Areas and certain other designations unable to take advantage.
The Government has also provided transitional arrangements whereby Class Q applications may still be made under the previous legislation, with a cut-off date for submissions of 21st May 2025. This may benefit those wishing to create one or more dwellings with a floor area larger than 150 sq.m., up to a maximum size of 465 sq.m. – but time is running out, so work needs to start on preparing the application right now!
For bespoke advice in relation to the changes to the Class Q legislation and their implications for your development projects, please contact our Development Land & Planning team on 01823 334466 or [email protected].
The headline changes were the increase in the number of dwellings permitted within one agricultural unit from five to ten, although with that comes a restriction on floor area to 150 sq.m. per dwelling, and 1,000 sq.m. overall. Rear extensions have also been permitted, for the first time.
The clock has been reset, such that buildings only need to have been in agricultural use on or before 24th July 2023 to qualify. The legislation has also been widened to include non-agricultural buildings within a farm, and buildings that are no longer part of a farm, provided that they remain in agricultural use.
The permitted development right remains subject to strict criteria, with Listed buildings and barns within National Landscapes (formerly AONBs), Conservation Areas and certain other designations unable to take advantage.
The Government has also provided transitional arrangements whereby Class Q applications may still be made under the previous legislation, with a cut-off date for submissions of 21st May 2025. This may benefit those wishing to create one or more dwellings with a floor area larger than 150 sq.m., up to a maximum size of 465 sq.m. – but time is running out, so work needs to start on preparing the application right now!
For bespoke advice in relation to the changes to the Class Q legislation and their implications for your development projects, please contact our Development Land & Planning team on 01823 334466 or [email protected].