Change of use - Title Deed's ?

[code1]

On our farm we have three outbuildings one of which was a converted pig sty.
It has been used as a outside storage area for 5 years, we want to convert it to three self contained units for the workers on the farm.
What is the due process of changing the use and the implcations on the title deeds ?

[Ethel]

You have to apply to the council for change of use.

If the property is registered with the Land Registry the Deeds are more or less defunct - the change of use will be recorded on the Title thought the Land Registry

[code1]

Dear Ethel, thank-you kindly for your reply.

Regards NEWMARKET FARM

[buildersmate]

There are no implications on the land title at the LR unless you are splitting the existing plot as recorded by the LR. Change of Use is definitely nothing to do with the LR (sorry Ethel).
Change of Use requires a Planning Application to the local council (in every case - I can think of no exceptions to this).
If you have been using it for storage for 5 years, and DEFINITELY if you are renting it commercially, you may already be in breach of the existing planning - which will be for agricultural use (as in pigs).
However this doesn't matter as the worst that can happen is that you are asked to cease doing this - via a Statutory Notice if necessary. You would be gain any PERMANENT entitlement to use it for storage until 10 YEARS have passed.
However none of this matters if you are wanting to use it for farm-workers now. You will have to apply to the authority with a Planning Application. If you can show that there is a need for such accommodation, you will normally be granted it - either temporarily for up to 2 years (as in what happens when a farmewr erects a caravan for such purpose) or permanently - but be aware that an Agricutural tie will be put on the planning consent. This means that you can only use it for agricultural workers. This constraint is the way the planning authorities prevent despoiling the countryside with new domestic dwellings - where the policy in most parts of England & Wales is that it is against policy to construct new dwellings in the countryside.

[buildersmate]

4th para, 2nd sentence should say 'you would not gain .....'

[Eve]

Buildersmate beat me to my warning on an agricultural tie :)

Avoid if you can as lenders really don't like them and it may make a further sale difficult due to the process required for removal, if indeed the local authority will remove them.

[Eve]

Ps I can confirm that the change of use will not be recorded on the title deeds (sorry too Ethel).

I've never seen any agricultural ties on them either, only in title documents eg restrictions covenants.

It may be worth checking the title deeds in case there is any restriction in there as to what you can use the property for.

Please note that restrictions in the title and planning are very separate. The council will not check the title to see if there are any restrictions on what you can do with the land, that is down to you.