On May 21, 2024, significant changes to permitted development rights (PDRs) in the UK came into effect, aimed at giving farmers more flexibility to diversify and enhance their businesses. The amendments are a response to a consultation conducted by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and are part of a broader effort to streamline the planning system for the agricultural sector.
Key changes include:
- Expansion of Uses for Agricultural Buildings
Buildings and land can now be used for a broader range of commercial activities. This includes the processing of non-livestock raw goods, agricultural training, and outdoor sports or recreation within the building’s curtilage.
- Increased Building Size Limits
For the permissible ground area for new buildings or extensions on farms over 5 hectares has been increased from 1,000 square metres to 1,500 square metres. For smaller farms under 5 hectares, this limit has risen from 1,000 square meters to 1,250 square metres. Additionally, the cubic content limit for agricultural buildings has been extended by 5%.
- Facilitation of Rural Housing
The rules have been modified to allow up to ten homes (increased from five) to be created through the conversion of agricultural buildings, with a new overall floorspace limit of 1,000 square metres (up from 865 square metres). The maximum floorspace per dwelling is capped at 150 square metres.
- Protection for Historic Sites
New restrictions have been introduced to protect scheduled monuments, preventing the extension or erection of new buildings in these areas.
These changes are expected to assist farmers in utilizing their property more effectively, providing opportunities to generate additional income and support rural economies without the lengthy processes previously required for planning permissions.
For more detailed information, visit https://www.gov.uk, www.nfuonline.com, https://blog.planningportal.co.uk, www.wrighthassall.co.uk,
