Rural regeneration

Looking up at the huge trusses of an ancient barn while enjoying the contemporary benefits of open-plan living is a covetable combination of historical character and modern convenience that many of us dream of.

For every successful conversion, though, there’s a transformation that doesn’t hit the mark: a building stripped of the charm that made it appealing in the first place or designed with an impractical layout. Plus, care must be taken to make sure the old structure and any new elements are airtight, well insulated and as energy efficient as possible.

Gather an expert team

Working on agricultural buildings requires professionals who understand historical construction methods, have a record of successful project delivery and experience of dealing with design, build and planning challenges. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA, architecture. com) has a searchable database of architects, and you can specify the areas of expertise you require.

Your architect will advise on the other professionals needed. These may include a structural engineer, quantity surveyor and services consultant, even a Passivhaus designer.

Is permission required?

Rural councils are often amenable to the conversion of agricultural buildings into homes, providing a property does not have protections in place such as listing or because it’s in a National Park or conservation area. But you must submit either a planning application or, if the project is likely to meet certain conditions, a Prior Approval application to convert under Class Q permitted development (PD) rights.

The Class Q conditions include it being structurally capable of conversion, having been in agricultural use for ten years prior to the application, and being on a site that’s suitable for a home.

Retrofitting an already converted barn may not require planning approval; it depends on the specifics of the p