Planning & Design Practice are celebrating a further successful Class Q planning application. This will allow our client to change the use of, and convert, an unused agricultural building to create a new home in Mansell Spinney, near Ashbourne in the Derbyshire countryside.
The building in question was a single, smaller agricultural building consisting of a mix of blockwork and metal sheet cladding, as well as a roller shutter door. The barn was fully enclosed, with an area of hardstanding situated to the south of the barn. An accompanying structural report concluded that the building was structurally sound and capable of conversion.
The new home will have two bedrooms, complete with an ensuite and family bathroom. An open plan kitchen dining area is also proposed, with patio doors to the outdoor space, as well as a family living space. Windows and doors will be added to the barn, allowing natural light to enter the internal living spaces. The existing roller shutter door will be replaced by a floor-to-ceiling window opening, providing light to the living space, as well as an interesting design feature.
The external alterations have been kept to a minimum to comply with Class Q legislation and to respect the rural aesthetic of the local area around Mansell Spinney.
The agricultural building was located in the rural area of Mansell Spinney. The site benefits from being located in a tranquil, rural area that borders the Peak District National Park. We look forward to seeing progress made on this new home, and will certainly share updates as this project progresses.
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.
We are well versed in in securing planning permission for rural development, obtaining for our clients the home in the countryside that they’ve always dreamed of, a more relaxed way of life and successful farm diversification applications.
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.
The agricultural building at Mansell Spinney
