Councils call for permitted development rights to be scrapped as barn conversions soar

LGA called on Government to use the Queen’s Speech to commit to scrapping the permitted development rights for all property types.

It follows changes in the rules making it possible for agriculture buildings to be converted into up to five new homes, rather than three.

Impact

Cllr David Renard, LGA’s planning spokesman said they were concerned about the impact on rural areas.

He said councils were committed to building new homes but they needed to be of ‘high quality’ with the right infrastructure in place but the rules were denying them any ‘control or oversight’ and taking away the voice of local residents.

“Unless permitted development rules are scrapped, then communities face the risk of substandard housing without any of the vital supporting infrastructure and local services which residents need on a daily basis.”

Fenella Collins, Head of Planning at the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said: “Part of the reason why the rules were introduced were to allow small villages and rural communities to grow organically and incrementally, ensuring the rural housing stock was able to keep up with population changes that have led to a lack of homes in rural areas.

“The ‘Class Q’ conversions – essentially changing farm building to dwellings – are subject to Building Regulations, therefore it’s hard to see how they can be described as ‘sub-standard’.

Not exempt

“Furthermore, they are not exempt from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which allows local authorities, who choose to implement it, the ability to raise funds from the development for local infrastructure.

“Instead of criticising these conversions, we should be pleased that farmers and landowners are contributing to the national effort to bridge the housing gap and that these new homes will help to deliver a prosperous rural economy.

“Farm diversification is bringing new employment opportunities to the countryside and people want to live close to their place of work.

“These conversions are key to doing so appropriately and sympathetically.”