Replacement dwellings in the Countryside
We published a new Chief Planning Officer's Advice Note on Barn Conversions and Replacement dwellings in the Countryside in February 2023. It replaced the previous guidance note on replacement dwellings in the countryside.
You can find all our Chief Planning Officer Notes on our Planning Policy Guidance webpage.
Permitted development rights in respect of agricultural buildings
Converting agricultural buildings to dwellings - Class Q development
These Permitted Development rights:
- have been created to support sustainability
- are set out in Class Q of the General Permitted Development Order.
These permit agricultural buildings to be converted to up to five dwelling houses. A range of conditions and criteria need to be met. These are set out in the Regulations.
This is sustainable because:
- buildings are reused
- it supports rural enterprise.
The Government wishes to help rural development. But it is not without limitations. These are to limit the impact of such development on the countryside. Safeguarding clauses include:
- landscape designations
- tenant farms
- safe development and occupation of such dwellings.
Please see our Class Q Prior Notification Guidance Note (Revised March 2023) for:
- how to make an application
- information that needs to be submitted.
Erection or extension of agricultural building for agricultural purposes
You can find this information on our Planning guidance for businesses webpage. Please view the 'Other guidance for businesses' section and select the 'Farming' option.
Annexe Guidance Note
Residential annexes are a common form of development. They can allow relatives to live with their family with a degree of independence. Annexes are considered to be acceptable by the Council in many cases. Please note:
- applications for residential annexes can vary a great deal
- you need to support these applications with sufficient evidence.
This ensures that applications do not result in proposals which are effectively the same as creating a new dwelling. Officers use the Annexe Guidance Note (January 2024) to assess proposals. Please note:
- the guidance does not have the weight of "adopted policy"
- it provides consistency in our approach
- it aims to help agents and applicants do the same.
Use Class factsheet
You can find more information on the changes to use classes using this link: Use Class factsheet.
Guidance on access and facilities for Fire Service
Cornwall Council Building Control, Planning and the Fire & Rescue Service have produced guidance on water supplies for firefighting and access for fire appliances.
