Journal

Planning Approved, South Hams Class Q

Vessel are pleased to have secured permission under Class Q permitted development on a barn in Roborough, Plymouth, Devon. The approval provides 200sqm of accommodation with open plan kitchen, dining and living space and for double bedrooms.

Securing new housing in the countryside under Class Q is tried and tested. The Class Q route is a permitted development right (PDR) in England that allows the conversion of agricultural buildings into residential dwellings without requiring full planning permission. Introduced under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, it enables farmers and landowners to repurpose redundant farm structures into homes, subject to certain conditions.

Key criteria include:

• The building must have been in agricultural use on or before March 20, 2013.
• Up to 5 dwellings can be created, with a total maximum floor space of 865 square meters.
• The structure must be capable of conversion without significant structural changes (e.g., no new foundations or external support).

A prior approval process is required, where the local planning authority assesses aspects like transport impact, flood risk, noise, and the building’s structural integrity.

Class Q cannot be applied in protected areas such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), or conservation areas.

It provides a flexible way for landowners to develop rural housing but requires careful compliance with regulations. Many applications fail due to structural concerns or excessive alterations, so professional advice is often recommended.

Please contact us to discuss your Class Q project!