Class Q permitted development

Generally it is up to a local planning authority to decide whether to allow a particular development or not. However, in England and Wales, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 enables central government to permit certain types of developments known as permitted developments.

These are generally minor changes to existing properties. However, in 2014 Class Q permitted development was introduced. This permits the change of use of some types of buildings from agriculture to residential use. The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order categorises uses of land and buildings. Generally, developments may not be used for purposes that are not within the use class for which they received planning permission.

From May 2024, the Town and Country Planning Amendment Order (General Permitted Development, etc) 2024 comes into effect. Stating 'Class Q buildings on agricultural units and former agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses. Permitted development'

Q. Development consisting of—

• (a) a change of use of—
  • (i) a building that is part of an established agricultural unit and any land within that building’s curtilage, or
  • (ii) a former agricultural building that was (but is no longer) part of an established agricultural unit and any land within that building’s curtilage, to a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of Schedule 1 to the Use Classes Order,
• (b) development referred to in sub-paragraph (a) together with the extension of the building referred to in sub-paragraph (a), or
• (c) development referred to in sub-paragraph (a) together with building operations reasonably necessary to convert the building referred to in sub-paragraph (a) to a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of that Schedule or to extend that building.

From 6 April 2018, amendments increased the thresholds for class Q permitted development, allowing:

Three larger homes, with a combined maximum floorspace of 465 square metres.

Five smaller homes, each less than 100 square metres.

A combination of the above, to a total of no more than five homes, of which no more than three may be larger homes.

For more information see: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/343/made

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 states that class Q consists of:

• (a) a change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from a use as an agricultural building to a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order; and
• (b) building operations reasonably necessary to convert the building referred to in paragraph (a) to a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of that Schedule.

Exclusions include:

• Buildings that have not been used for agriculture on or before 20th March 2013.
• Conservation areas or listed buildings.
• Cumulative floor space exceeding 450 square metres.
• More than 3 dwellings.
• The development would exceed the existing dimensions.
• Buildings requiring extensive works beyond conversion.

The developer must apply to the local planning authority for a determination as to whether the prior approval is required.

For more information see: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/part/3/crossheading/class-q-agricultural-buildings-to-dwellinghouses/made

From 6 April 2018, amendments increased the thresholds for class Q permitted development, allowing:

• Three larger homes, with a combined maximum floorspace of 465 square metres.
• Five smaller homes, each less than 100 square metres.
• A combination of the above, to a total of no more than five homes, of which no more than three may be larger homes.

For more information see: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/343/made

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Permitted development.
• Planning permission.
• Prior approval.
• Use class.