When the proposals were unveiled last year we described them as 'exciting'.
“This is about putting trust in farmers to do the right thing with their buildings”, said then NFU chief rural affairs adviser David Collier ahead of our submission to the government consultation.
In the latest development, the Statutory Instrument making the necessary amendments was laid before Parliament on 13 March and will come into force on 6 April.
In summary, the order creates a new class of permitted development ‘Class MB’, which allows change of use from agriculture to residential use.
Our new briefing looks at the key changes to the General Permitted Development Order and how agricultural buildings can be converted to residential use without the requirement of planning permission.
Members should take professional advice before using this new provision as the Statutory Instrument effecting this change includes significant limitations on its application. It is likely that the interpretation of the legislation will take some time to finalise.
Read the NFU’s new barn conversion guide here (you’ll need to log-in).