Can your fish farm buildings be converted into residential homes?

An agricultural building of no more than 450m2 can be converted providing no more than three dwellings are created from one farm unit.

Since the guidance on Permitted Development Rights was issued in 2013 many applications have been refused on grounds of apparent remoteness of the locations of the buildings and the amount of work involved in their conversion.

Central Government now agrees and points out there is good reason that PDR’s do not apply the test in relation to sustainability of location.  It is recognised that many agricultural buildings will not be in village settlements and may not be able to rely on public transport for daily needs.  Instead the Councils are being encouraged to consider whether the location and siting of the buildings would make it practical or undesirable to change use to a house.

We recommend that you review your current buildings and their uses and if there is the potential to develop residential units this possibility should be explored.  Fenn Wright are currently involved in a number of applications for Permitted Development Rights on farm buildings and can advise further – please get in touch with Martin Freeman or Tom Good.