Skip to main content

Overview

Class Q of Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 allows for the conversion of agricultural buildings into dwellings without full planning permission, subject to meeting specific criteria and completing a prior approval process with the Local Planning Authority.

Key Provisions

Permitted development rights allow:
- Conversion of agricultural buildings to up to 10 dwellings
- Maximum total floor area: 1,000 m² across the site
- Maximum size of any individual dwelling: 150 m²
- Rear extension: single-storey, up to 4 metres, on hardstanding existing before 24 July 2023 or in place for at least 10 years

Example: To create 10 dwellings under Class Q, each would need to average 100 m² or less (subject to limits).

Where Class Q Does Not Apply

Development is not permitted if:
- The site is on Article 2(3) land (National Landscapes, National Parks, Conservation Areas, World Heritage Sites)
- The building is listed, curtilage-listed, a scheduled monument, or on a SSSI, safety hazard, or military explosives area
- Extensions are more than one storey, not to the rear, exceed 4m, or are on land without qualifying hardstanding
- A new agricultural building was erected under Part 6 Class A(a)/B(a) within 10 years
- The resulting dwellings fail to meet Nationally Described Space Standards
- There is no suitable access to a public highway

Nature and Extent of Works

Class Q covers conversion, not demolition or rebuilding.

Permitted works include those reasonably necessary to enable the building to function as a dwelling, such as replacing windows, roofs, or installing services.

The existing structure must be strong enough for conversion without new primary structural components. Major rebuilds, new foundations, or full replacement are not permitted.

Structural Appraisal

A structural appraisal by a qualified engineer should demonstrate that the building:
1. Is structurally sound and capable of conversion without new structural elements
2. Will remain stable and safe for residential use

If major new structural work is required, the proposal will not qualify under Class Q.

Prior Approval Process

A prior approval application must be submitted and approved before any conversion work begins.

The LPA considers:
- Transport, noise, contamination, and flood risks
- Location and siting
- Design and appearance
- Natural light in habitable rooms
- (For extensions) amenity impacts

The LPA has 8 weeks to determine the application. Approved development must be completed within 3 years.

Class Q Routes

  1. Q(a) – Change of use only (no building works)
    2. Q(a) + Q(c) – Conversion with building works
    3. Q(a) + Q(b) + Q(c) – Conversion with single-storey rear extension (up to 4m on qualifying hardstanding)

    Note: Extensions must be carried out at the same time as the conversion.

 Application Requirements – Class Q(a)

  1. Application form
  2. A plan indicating the site and showing the proposed development (including any garden, parking, turning and access arrangements). You may need to provide more than one plan to clearly (i) show the location of the building, ideally to a scale of 1:1250, and (ii) the extent of the building, garden, parking, turning and access arrangements, ideally to a scale of 1:500. OUTLINE THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IN RED
  3. Flood risk assessment (if in Flood Zone 2 or 3)
  4. Application fee

Application Requirements – Class Q(a) – Class Q(c)

  1. Points 1 – 4 of the requirements of Class Q (a) above
  2. A written statement detailing the extent of any demolition and building works required to convert the building to a dwelling house
  3. Drawings or photographs of all existing elevations
  4. Drawings of proposed elevations
  5. Drawings of existing and proposed floor plans

All drawings and plans should be to a metric scale, normally 1:50 or 1:100.

Application Fees

Please see link Planning Fees

Additional Information

The regulations allow Mid Devon to request further information, which may include:

  • Structural appraisals or other reports relating to the building operations proposed
  • Assessments of risks or impacts, for example land contamination report
  • Statements setting out how impacts or risks are to be mitigated, for example a decontamination strategy

Ecology and Protected Species

Applicants must comply with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1991 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. If bats or other protected species are suspected, surveys and mitigation should be submitted before applying.

Agricultural Tenancies and Future Development

The regulations include certain criteria which seek to safeguard agricultural tenancies which could be affected where Landlords wish to carryout development under the provisions of Class MB. The safeguards consist of the following:

  • If the site is under an agricultural tenancy express consent from both the landlord and tenant will be required before an application for prior notification can be submitted
  • Development under Class Q cannot be carried out where a tenancy has been terminated less than one year before an application for prior notification is made unless both the landlord and tenant have agreed in writing that the site is no longer required for agricultural use

Please note:

The legislation also affects how you can use your normal agricultural permitted development rights. Where you have carried out a conversion under the new provision (Class Q) it will remove your agricultural permitted development rights for erecting or extending buildings for a period of 10 years, therefore any new or extended agricultural buildings will need full planning permission.

Building Regulations

Please note that this procedure does NOT grant approval under the Building Regulations and separate approval will need to be sought. Due to the nature of these conversions it is strongly advised that you consult with your local Building Regulation Officer at an early stage so as to minimise the risk of not being able to comply with the Building Regulations as well as any approval granted under the Class Q provisions.

For more information or to contact a Building Regulation Officer, please view our webpages or call 01884 234345.

Timeframes

- Application determination: 8 weeks
- Completion period: within 3 years of approval

Further Guidance

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2024

Planning Practice Guidance – Class Q:

When is permission required? - GOV.UK