New planning laws coming into effect today will enable farmers to convert disused agricultural buildings into homes and shops without planning permission.
Reportedly inspired by Jeremy Clarkson's battles with West Oxfordshire District Council in his series Clarkson’s Farm, the Government says the extension of permitted development rights will ‘turbocharge rural housing development’.
Minister for Housing, Planning and Building Safety Lee Rowley said: ‘Farmers are the lifeblood of communities, and these changes give them the freedom to grow their businesses, and plan for their futures.
‘This is all part of our Long-term Plan for Housing to deliver more homes for rural communities and reform the planning system, removing unnecessary barriers to development.’
The changes will see the amount of floorspace that can change from agricultural to ‘flexible commercial use’ without planning permission doubling from 500 square metres to 1,000 square metres.
The number of homes that can be delivered through the conversion of agricultural buildings will also double from five to 10.
