Chapman Lily Planning is pleased to have secured consent for the demolition of two agricultural buildings and the erection of two dwellings in the countryside near Blandford Forum. This effectively bypassed a cumbersome and onerous stage in the conversion process, jumping straight from the usual first stage, which is to apply for what is known as a Class Q application, straight to a full planning application for a new build. This leap is a testament to our careful strategy tailored to aid rural landowners in converting agricultural buildings into dwellings.
In more detail, the process usually commences with the submission to the Council of what is termed a Class Q prior approval application. If approved, this establishes the principle of conversion to residential. Given the constraints inherent to Class Q approvals, it is often followed by a second application to obtain full planning permission, which affords a more flexible framework for conversion (such as enabling the residential curtilage to be larger than the footprint of the building), a three-year commencement window (as opposed to having to complete the development within three years, as per Class Q), and, if implemented, removes the impact on agricultural permitted development rights.
Traditionally, the second application stage acts as a critical intermediary step, serving to bridge the gap between the Class Q conversion and a complete new build. Local planning authorities often perceive a direct leap from Class Q to a new build as too ambitious, necessitating this transitional phase.
We at Chapman Lily challenged this convention. Due to limited site constraints and a design that encapsulates a rustic aesthetic, the scheme was able to sidestep the intermediary stage, facilitating a direct transition to a new build that embodies the best aspects of the conversion and new build stages.
While this kind of agility may not always be possible, depending on site-specific constraints and client design ambitions, the Blandford Forum example illustrates the potential for innovation within the barn conversion strategy. This successful strategy reaffirms that, with the right approach, traditional agricultural buildings can be transformed directly into dream homes.