What Class Q does
Class Q is the permitted development right that lets agricultural buildings be converted to homes without a full planning application. You still need prior approval, which covers matters such as transport, noise, contamination, flood risk, location and design.
The May 2024 changes
- The number of homes increased to 10 per agricultural unit, within a 1,000 m² total.
- The maximum size of each home is 150 m², replacing the old split between larger and smaller homes.
- Buildings no longer have to have been used solely for agriculture, and former agricultural buildings can qualify.
- A single-storey rear extension of up to 4 metres is allowed on land already covered by hardstanding.
- Anti-abuse rule: land that joined an agricultural unit on or after 24 July 2023 must wait 10 years.
What hasn’t changed
The building must be structurally capable of conversion. Class Q is not a route to rebuild. Listed buildings, scheduled monuments and some protected land remain excluded, and an Article 4 direction can remove the right.
Our view
Class Q can unlock significant value on farms and rural estates, but schemes often fail on the structural test or on design. A structural survey and a well-prepared prior approval submission make the difference.
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Sources
- Strutt & Parker: Guide to changes to permitted development rights (May 2024)
- The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015
This article is general information about planning in England at the date shown. It is not advice on any particular site, and the law and policy may have changed since. Please speak to us before relying on it.