Barn Conversion into a Dwelling, a Guide following changes to permitted development rights
2025 update! Changes to permitted development rights. Permitted development rights changed in 2024 for an agricultural barn conversion into a dwelling. Other use classes (eg commercial or storage, have different permitted development rules). I have written more detail about Class Q changes on this blog. And more specifically about modern barn conversions and Class Q […]
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) – what is it and what does it mean to me?
What is BNG? Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for small sites came into force in April 2024 (previously it only applied to larger developments). With all planning applications (except for homeowner ones) you now need to demonstrate 10% biodiversity improvement on what was there before. For example, if you have a grassy area, you could improve […]
Class Q planning for large modern barn conversions
Modern barns for conversion [2025 updated] Since 2020 we have seen an increase in planning permissions for modern barns for conversion. However changes are afoot! By ‘modern’ barns, we mean the steel-framed large barns clad in concrete block, timber boarding or metal sheeting. They usually have metal or asbestos roofs. Class Q legislation is more […]
The Community Infrastructure Levy and what it means for self-builders and barn conversions
Updated in 2025. The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a piece of legislation adopted by most UK councils affecting developments since 1st April 2016. It is an additional charge that applies to new-build homes, new floors in barn conversions and home extensions over 100m2. You can apply for self-build exemption if it will be your […]
Eco homes
Eco homes are beautiful Eco homes come in all shapes and sizes. I would argue (but I am biased!) that eco homes are more beautiful than normal homes, simply because building with the environment in mind, leads to a more sensitive design. Are eco homes expensive to build? They don’t have to be more expensive […]
Timescales for your home project
Timescales for your home project Good quality design takes time We are often asked how long a project might take to get to the build stage. Here are some example timescales for your home project in the chart below. These show expected timelines for different types of project, whether an eco-home, a barn or an […]
Barn use classes & ‘agricultural unit’ clarification
Barn use classes [2023 updated] What use class is a barn? What do all the different letters mean? Class Q is conversion of an agricultural barn to a dwelling house. Formerly known as Class MB and confusingly often also known as a Class C conversion (because it will become class C (domestic use) upon conversion […]
Barns Permitted Development clarifications
Barns Permitted Development [2023 updated] Barns permitted development – How big can I build a barn without planning permission in 2023? You can now create 3 large (more than 100m2) or 5 smaller dwellings (less than 100m2 each) or a mixture of both under Permitted Development. What is Class Q permitted development for a barn? […]
