The latest proposed changes to the permitted development rights were under consultation until the end of September and, if they become law, there are some important changes coming down the track for farmers.
The proposals are that regulations are simplified to a single maximum floorspace of either 100 or 150sqm per home, while the maximum number of homes per agricultural unit increases from 5 to 10 and an overall maximum floorspace changing use of 1000sqm. The proposed PD rights changes also suggest that rear extensions to Class Q conversions be allowed. Previously, any increase in the size of the original agricultural building was not allowed but this could be waved through in the future, allowing single storey extensions of up to 4m to the back of a building if the land is already hard-surfaced , with any extension falling within the overall floorspace limit.