Planning Permission

[happyducky]

What are the chances of getting planning permission to build on the site of an old dutch barn? Its just a musing really, but my partner's father owns a 270 acre farm, which in 15 years has not been run as a farm - all the land is rented by neighbouring farms. However, across the road from the farrmhouse next to the lane and on a concrete base, is an old dutch barn, which is crumbling and falling into disrepair. Would planning authorities ever give permission to separate it and the land it covers for a conversion to a residential dwelling? It wouldn't actually impact on the farm land and is only 200 metres or so down the road on the same public lane as the house. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[buildersmate]

It has been done before but the obstacles are significant. You need to check the local planning policies for the area in which the barn is situated, but generally: -
planning authorities will consider proposed re-use of an existing agricultural structure that is redudant but worth saving for business use;
if one can show there is no business use, residential use may be considered
in very rare occasions it may treated as a brownfield site suitable for demolition / reinstatement

[happyducky]

I think that might be a sticking point. The barn could be updated and serve a perfectly legitimate use for the farm - only as long as they have it they won't use it as barn, but that would be I suppose the primary function of it. They aren't farmers and the plot would be a great place for a home, but I suppose as a farm, farm purpose might come first. I think a bit of knowledge is necessary as getting these consents are often expensive! It'd be nice to know if there was any chance of success :)

[buildersmate]

No, 'farm purposes' won't come first. It is accepted that there are loads of redundant barns around - it is just that the preferred use for them (generally) to to create employment in rural areas. Where there is likely to be an issue is in jumpting straight to the assumption that conversion to a residential dwelling may be acceptable.

[The Builder]

................. also, another consideration we have to go through here in sunny Devon is holiday lets. ................... that can be profitable though :o)

[AlBags]

You need to sound out local plnning authority about this .. juyst go to see them with a few outlines.
Now .. If you needed a permanent building for looking after animals there .. then you 'might' get permission for something not too sumptuous .. but it would have a condition placed on it, like use for agricultural purposes only.