Barn Conversions and Class Q: Everything you Need to Know

Class Q: What It Means for Your Barn — And Your Land’s Value

Many landowners don’t realise they could already have a valuable development opportunity sitting right on their land — in the form of a disused or underused farm building. That’s where Class Q comes in.

What Is Class Q?

Class Q is a type of “permitted development right” — a planning rule that allows you to convert certain agricultural buildings into homes without applying for full planning permission.

In simple terms, if you’ve got a qualifying barn or similar structure, you may be able to gain consent for new dwellings through a much faster, simpler process than a normal planning application.

And with recent updates to the rules, Class Q has become more generous and more flexible — opening the door to more potential for landowners.

Why It Matters for Landowners

Turning old farm buildings into homes can unlock real value — whether you want to sell the land, keep it in the family, or generate a new income stream. A successful Class Q conversion can:

• Increase the market value of your land

• Create homes for family or farm workers

• Make use of buildings that might otherwise fall into disrepair

• Avoid the red tape of a full planning application

But there’s a catch: from May 20, 2025, some of the more generous elements of the old rules will be gone. That means now is the time to act if your site might qualify.

What’s Changed with Class Q?

From May 21, 2024, new Class Q rules came into force.

You can now:

✅ Convert up to 10 homes (previously 5)

✅ Create homes up to 150m² each (but unfortunately no more large single dwellings)

✅ Use up to 1,000m² of floor space across the whole conversion

✅ Include a modest extension — up to 4m at the rear

✅ Apply even if the building is no longer in active farm use, in some cases

If you want to convert a larger single dwelling, you still have time — but only if you apply under the old rules before May 20, 2025.

Could Your Barn Qualify?

Every site is different — and getting Class Q consent depends on the age, structure, location and use history of the building. But if you’ve got a former agricultural building, it’s worth finding out.

At Stone Acre, we can assess your site quickly and clearly, and help you make the most of this valuable opportunity.

📞  📧 Get in touch today to find out about possible Class Q conversions on your land.