How to Develop or Convert Your Farm Buildings Sustainably: A Guide to Class Q, Class R, and Farm Architecture
Permitted Development On Farms
If you're considering developing or converting your farm buildings, understanding rural planning policies and sustainable design can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re thinking about a barn conversion, building a new off-grid home, or repurposing unused agricultural buildings, there are many routes you can explore – and the good news is, many projects might fall under permitted development rights, making the process easier than you think.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the key considerations when developing or converting farm buildings, including an overview of Class Q and Class R planning regulations, which can help unlock the potential of your farm site without the need for full planning permission.
About Studio Bark
Our Farming Origins
Our understanding of farm sites goes beyond the theoretical and professional. Our founder Wilf Meynell, and director Sarah Broadstock, both grew up on farms and have personal experience of the complexities of evolving a site fit for the future.
Our Farm Project Experience
As a practice we have over a decade of experience visiting rural sites, many associated with farms needing professional expertise, and a fresh perspective. We have extensive experience working on barn conversions, off-grid homes, and new buildings that are sensitive to their rural settings.
What is Class Q? Converting Farm Buildings into Homes
What is Class Q? - Converting Farm Buildings into Homes
If you own a farm or agricultural land with unused barns or outbuildings, Class Q permitted development rights offer a fantastic opportunity to convert these structures into homes. The best part? You may not need full planning permission, which can save you time and reduce costs.
Class Q allows for the conversion of agricultural buildings into up to five homes, provided certain conditions are met such as:
- A maximum floor area of 1000 sqm
- A maximum individual dwelling size of 150 sqm (1615 sqft)
- The building having suitable access
What is Class R? Converting Farm Buildings for Commercial Use
What is Class R? – Converting Farm Buildings for Commercial Use
Farm diversification is a popular way to breathe new life into underused buildings. Whether you’re considering converting an old barn into a farm shop, holiday let, or work space, Class R permitted development rights allow you to repurpose agricultural buildings for commercial use without the need for a full planning application.
Under Class R, farm buildings can be converted into flexible commercial spaces such as:
- Shops
- Cafes
- Offices
- Leisure or recreational facilities
This opens up opportunities to use neglected buildings on your farm for imaginative and profitable new purposes.
Download our guide at the link below to help you begin the journey of diversifying your land.
Studio Bark's Guide To Permitted Development
Our Guide To Permitted Development is designed to help you understand how to navigate these regulations to develop existing buildings on your farm.
Download our Guide To Permitted Development at the link below.
For further information or to talk to us about your farm project, contact the studio at info@studiobark.co.uk or call 0207 993 4332.
How Studio Bark can help you convert your farm sustainably
Sustainable Design for Farm Conversions and New Builds
Whether you're converting a barn or building something new on your land, we can help you find sustainable, affordable solutions that are appropriate for your specific site context. Rural environments provide a unique opportunity to integrate nature with modern living, and there are many ways to create a farm home or business that is energy-efficient and minimises environmental impact.
Here are some of the sustainable solutions we regularly incorporate into rural development projects:
- Off-grid energy
- Local and natural materials
- Measures to improve biodiversity
Navigating Rural Planning & Permitted Development
Developing a farm site requires careful consideration of rural planning policies. While permitted development rights under Class Q and Class R make the process simpler, there are still hurdles to navigate, and not every building will qualify. It’s essential to assess the site and work with professionals who understand the regulations and know how to make your project a success.
At Studio Bark, we specialise in rural planning and sustainable architecture. If you're considering a project on your farm and want advice on whether you can convert a barn, develop a new off-grid home, or repurpose existing buildings for commercial use, we’re here to help. With extensive experience in Class Q and Class R developments, we can guide you through the process from start to finish, ensuring your project is both compliant and environmentally friendly.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're thinking about developing your farm, converting a barn, or building a new sustainable home, contact us at Studio Bark to discuss your project. With our deep understanding of rural planning policies and a passion for eco-friendly design, we can help you create a beautiful, sustainable future for your farm site.
You can speak to the team today on (+44) 0207 993 4332 or email info@studiobark.co.uk
Our Projects
We have been lucky to work on numerous unique farm projects across the UK. From residential barn conversions, to commercial buildings, and new build net zero homes, our expertise in rural architecture and planning puts us in excellent stead to address any agricultural architecture project.
Shropshire Farm
Our proposal at Shropshire Farm recognises the fundamental need for the farmstead to be highly functional, while using an environmental design approach that looks to retain and re-use buildings and materials where possible.
We propose the removal of certain more recent/ dilapidated additions to the farmstead, and the retaining and upgrading of others. The result is a holistic scheme that brings life and function to otherwise derelict buildings, while encouraging wildlife and improving the wider landscape setting.
- Location: Shrewsbury
- Status: Construction
Twin Barn Farm
Twin Barn Farm had to negotiate the challenges of planning policy in its rural Norfolk location. The project required a thoughtful conversion of the steel framed shed with minimal impact on the external aesthetic. The solution was for the home to sit within the existing barn structure, while space has also been created to accommodate local craft businesses. This innovative approach to permitted development has resulted in a spatially exciting and energy efficient family home and furniture workshop.
- Location: South Norfolk
- Status: Complete
- Cost: House £475,000, workshop £100,000
Client Testimonial
“Studio Bark worked with us, from conception through to completion, to ensure the end result was a spectacular, unique, energy efficient home. The team took our ideas, details of how we wanted to use the space and live our lives, and created a great design. As a result, the house had extremely detailed plans due to the effective partnership between Studio Bark and Structure Workshop. This enabled us to build the house of our dreams.”
View Project
Milking Parlour
Milking Parlour is a proposal to convert an agricultural building to five dwelling units. All development will be within the footprint of the existing building, although an external timber cladding with timber fibre insulation will be added to the outside. The design is to retain the existing agricultural aesthetic of the building.
- Location: Norfolk
- Status: Planning
The Barn
The Barn is a proposal to remove two post-war structures (a derelict metal barn and garage) and replace them with a sensitive and sustainable new home. The build will be on a historically sensitive moated site, and so the design will reflect the language of local blackened barns with pantile roofs. Inside, a dramatic planted atrium will bring light and drama to the spaces, while also contributing to a significant environmental strategy.
- Location: Cambridgeshire
- Status: Planning approved
Warren Lodge
Warren Lodge is a modern interpretation of a traditional Norfolk barn, built using local materials all sourced from the UK. The 100m² low energy timber barn was built by students as part of our No Building As Usual live build education program.
- Location: Norfolk
- Cost: £56,000
- Status: Complete
Knepp Bio Barn
Studio Bark was appointed by rewilding pioneers, the Knepp Castle Estate, to design a bespoke biofuel system using entirely local, natural materials. Knepp is a trailblazing 3,500-acre rewilding project, and we designed the biobarn to contribute to its ambitious green credentials.
The barn incorporates a 100sqm chip store, a large boiler room and a number of associated machine stores. It is fueled with waste wood chip from the estate from routine thinning, leading to a dramatic Co2 saving. The ash produced by biomass boilers is high in potash which is valuable as a top dressing by farmers or as a component of composts by horticulturists. Most of the construction materials were sourced locally or from the estate woodlands themselves.
- Location: Horsham
- Status: Complete
