At Planning & Design Practice, our planners and architects understand the challenges and opportunities that come with farm masterplanning, and the processes involved in creating residential spaces from agricultural buildings.
This case study involves a well-established agricultural unit. Owned by our Client, the site is made up of 7 buildings which include several barns and a farm shop. With changing agricultural needs, the Client sought to repurpose the farm buildings into modern residential dwellings.
Farm Masterplanning: Project Overview
The project involves converting existing agricultural barns into homes using permitted development rights. The structure, which was historically used for livestock, will be transformed into a comfortable home while maintaining its original character. The conversion will retain the external cladding and introduce windows and skylights for improved natural light.
Barn 1 – Class Q – 4 bed dwelling
The barn is enclosed on 3 sides, with a large opening on the northern elevation, and is 260m2 in size. The barn is metal framed with precast concrete panels and green vertical timber cladding. The front elevation of the barn is open up to a point just below the eaves, above which the gable has been filled in. The barn was used to house livestock as part of the farming operations taking place on site.
Barn 3 – Class Q – 2 large 2 bed dwellings
The building is a steel portal-framed building used to house livestock. Cementitious sheeting forms the roof covering. Metal sheeting forms the upper walls of the north and south elevations, while timber slats for the upper walls of the east and west elevations. Precast concrete panels form the lower walls of the north, west and south elevations, and timber members form the lower wall of the east elevation. The building is formed from 5 steel portal-frames. The roof sheeting is supported off timber purlins.
Barn 4 – Class Q, 4-bedroom dwelling
The barn consists of a tall, narrow building and attached smaller lean-to structure on the east elevation. The building is completely enclosed by a mix of concrete lower walls, timber members and cementitious sheeting. The barn was used to house livestock.
Barn 5 – Full Planning Application Shop to Residential
The farm shop is located at the front of the site, facing the access road into the farm. The building is red brick in style, with a dual-pitched tiled roof. The building is contained across one storey, although the north-east portion of the building stands slightly higher at the ridge compared to the majority of the building. The building is structurally sound. The building was historically used to house livestock.
Key Objectives
- Repurpose an existing agricultural building into a residential dwelling.
- Ensure compliance with Class Q permitted development regulations.
- Retain the rural aesthetic and character of the farm.
- Create a sustainable and functional living space with modern comforts.
Challenges
- Adapting a structure originally designed for livestock into a habitable space.
- Ensuring compliance with planning regulations and structural integrity.
- Maintaining the balance between modernity and rural heritage.
- Addressing potential environmental concerns such as flood risks and contamination.
Approach and Solutions
To tackle these challenges, a thorough assessment of the barn’s condition was conducted. A structural report confirmed the integrity of the steel framework and blockwork, ensuring the building could support the necessary modifications. The design approach focused on retaining the original agricultural character while introducing essential modern features such as large windows and skylights for natural lighting. The lean-to on the east elevation was removed to comply with regulations and improve space efficiency.
Additionally, the access road was assessed for safety, confirming that it meets visibility and usability standards. Environmental assessments showed that the site is in flood zone 1 with no contamination risks, ensuring the safety and viability of the new dwelling.
Conclusion
The transformation of this agricultural building at Nine Fields Farm is a prime example of sustainable rural development. By preserving the original structure while making it functional as a modern home, the project successfully blends past and present. This conversion not only provides a unique living space but also demonstrates how agricultural buildings can be repurposed for contemporary housing needs while respecting their historical significance.
