A four-home Devon barn scheme survived a late refusal, but the owner still had to prove the works qualified as conversion.
Class Q deemed consent wins four homes after council misses 56-day deadline
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Class Q News
Class Q can make a barn conversion possible, but the building, the proposed works and the land around it all need careful consideration. Here we collect changes to the English permitted development right and decisions illustrating its limits. The reports explain the practical lessons, while the main Class Q guide sets out the current requirements.For the background and current guidance, see our Class Q guide and agriculture and equestrian planning.
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Latest planning news
Class Q appeal fails despite barn passing conversion test
A Class Q appeal at Malvern Hills passed the barn conversion test but failed because the agricultural evidence did not prove eligibility.
Bromsgrove Class Q appeal wins as council makes a 2-barn mistake
An Inspector rejected the council’s assumption that two neighbouring barns would be demolished, then accepted the main barn’s conversion and existing access.
Delamere Class Q appeal clears farm-use condition but fails over missing drawings
The applicant defeated the council’s restriction argument, but missing elevations and sections left the Inspector unable to establish a lawful barn conversion.
Brookfields Farm Class Q split: two homes win, four fail
The same Inspector decided two Class Q appeals on the same day, allowing one barn conversion and dismissing the other over farm impacts.
Ashton Farm Class Q appeal clears demolition test but loses on noise
Seven Class Q homes failed on noise evidence even though the Inspector accepted the proposed demolition was necessary and the barns remained conversions.
Beckington Class Q appeal wins despite access falling short of local standard
The farm access measured about 4.8m against Somerset’s 5m standard, but the Inspector found it could operate safely for six homes.
Somerset Class Q barn appeal succeeds despite extensive works
Two Class Q appeals show why substantial works can remain a conversion, while retaining parts of a steel frame is not enough. Broom Farm succeeded; Washdyke Farm failed.
Class Q appeal fails after agricultural unit evidence falls short
A Hampshire Class Q appeal failed even though the Inspector accepted that the building had genuinely been used for agriculture. The missing evidence concerned the separate question of the established agricultural unit.
Class Q prior approval is not a full planning application
A Worcestershire Class Q appeal has confirmed that prior approval is limited to the matters in the GPDO and cannot become a general residential amenity assessment.
Class Q curtilage trap: the old farmyard may still be agricultural
A Somerset appeal has confirmed that a Class Q barn conversion does not automatically turn the wider former farmyard into residential land.
Big changes to Class Q & Class R for agricultural buildings
Changes to Class Q. It has been refreshed to allow up to 10 dwellings. The limit has been raised to 1,000 sq m and extensions are now allowed!
Proposals for big changes to permitted development rights
Big changes are planned for permitted development rights affecting Class MA, Class G, Barns, shops, offices and much more. Read on for the info!
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