Continuing a recent strong run of successes, Planning & Design Practice are delighted to announce a successful Class Q appeal decision. This will allow our client to change the use of, and convert, an unused agricultural building to become a new home near Ironville in Derbyshire. The site benefits from being located in a tranquil, rural area with large open countryside on all sides.
The site consists of a single agricultural building. The agricultural building in question is constructed from poles and box profile sheeting. A structural survey was completed as part of the application, which concluded that the building was structurally sound and could be converted to a home.
The proposed development resulted in the creation of a single one bedroom dwelling benefitting from open plan living, kitchen and dining areas, as well as outdoor amenity space.
The application had to ensure complete compliance with Class Q legislation, whilst also respecting the rural aesthetic of the local area. This meant that the building needed to be considered capable of conversion and retain the external appearance of the building. The submitted drawing package, prepared by the Planning & Design Practice design team, demonstrated this compliance.
Contrary to the Council’s refusal, the Planning Inspector concluded that the proposals did comply with the requirements detailed within Class Q legislation and allowed the appeal. The other reason for refusal related to the building’s ability to be converted to a dwelling. The Council, despite the conclusions of the submitted structural report, believed that the building could not be converted without excessive building works. The Inspector dismissed this, stating that there was no reason to disagree with the findings of the submitted structural report.
Understanding Class Q
The Permitted Development rights, commonly referred to as Class Q, is the right to convert agricultural buildings into homes as a matter of principle and has been with us since 2014.
Permitted Development (PD) is the right of an owner to develop their land within limits prescribed by a piece of legislation known as a General Permitted Development Order. The point of the order was originally to allow minor developments to go ahead without having to go through the planning application process, for example, small extensions to houses.
In the interest of simplifying the planning system and boosting the supply of houses, the government extended PD rights to include the right to change agricultural buildings to homes. Originally proposed as a temporary measure, this has since been made permanent.
Planning & Design Practice Ltd is a multi-disciplinary team of Chartered Town Planners, Architects, Architectural Assistants and Heritage Specialists.
Gaining planning permission is a key step in almost any development. We can take a project through from inception to completion, but we also offer the flexibility to engage a client’s own architects and provide a planning service, whilst our design team can also work with clients who have engaged other town planning professionals.
Planning & Design Practice Ltd are well versed in researching and understanding local Council’s policies to ensure the best possible case if put forward for our clients.
For a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01332 347371 or enquiries@planningdesign.co.uk
Shaun Hyde, Senior Planner, Planning & Design Practice Ltd
