Updates to Permitted Development Rights: Class Q, Class R and Agricultural Development 

Rural Housing: Changes to Class Q:

Class Q is a Permitted Development Right allowing the conversion of all types of agricultural buildings to dwellings. Under the updated Class Q legislation, you can now:

• Create up to 10 dwellings totalling a maximum collective floor area of 1000m2
• Create dwellings no bigger than 150m2
• Extend the rear of an agricultural building by 4m onto any existing hardstanding present before 24^th July 2023.
• Convert barns no longer used for agriculture, they can be unused or empty
• Convert buildings that are no longer part of an established agricultural holding
• Extend the external dimensions of the agricultural building by up to 0.2m to accommodate replacement windows, doors, roofs, or exterior walls.
• Convert agricultural buildings permitted under a Full Application before the 24^th July 2023 (subject to conditions), but barns built under Prior Approval must be at least 10 years old.

The policy includes a year long grace period during which time, Class Q developments which no longer accord with the new criteria will continue to be permitted. These schemes must be completed within 3 years of consent and are not subject to any of the additional flexibilities offered by the new legislation. The grace period will cease on the 20^th March 2025, at which time all Class Q developments will be subject to the updated legislation.

Farm Diversification: Changes to Class R

Class R Permitted Development Rights have been amended to provide greater freedom when changing the use of agricultural buildings to commercial uses.

Under the amended Class R legislation, you can now:

• Change the use of agricultural buildings to general industrial use (B2) for the processing of raw goods produced on the agricultural unit, and to sport and recreational uses.
• Change the use of up to 1000m2 of floor space (up from 500m2)

Changes to Agricultural Development PD rights:

Amendments have been made to Permitted Development Rights supporting agricultural development to provide greater flexibilities and suit modern agricultural practices. This includes:

• On farms over 5Ha, the erection of agricultural buildings up to 1500m2 (up from 1000m2)
• On farms of less than 5Ha, agricultural building extensions to be increased from 20% to 25%

To find out more about agricultural and rural planning please click here