CMS UK

Rural, Business and Renewable Energy Consultants

New Farm Building Projects

Many farmers need to start new, or expand existing agricultural enterprises. If you are looking at opportunities to modernise or expand, it is important that you understand how planning regulations may affect your proposals and, where relevant, how to improve your chances of obtaining planning permission. If you are proposing a change of use of land or buildings from agricultural use, you will need to apply for planning permission. Planning permission, where required, is often also a prerequisite of obtaining grant funding for a project.

For some forms of development on farm, full planning permission may not be required and can be carried out under the General Permitted Development Order 1995.

Permitted development rights are for certain types of minor development:

• The use of land (but not any buildings) for any purpose (other than caravan site) for not more than twenty eight days a year, or fourteen days in certain circumstances.
• Development on units of 5 hectares or more could include
  • Certain types of new Agricultural buildings
  • Certain types of extensions or alterations to existing agricultural buildings
  • Some excavation or engineering operations, which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of agriculture within that unit
• Development on units of less than 5 hectares but more than 0.4 hectares
  • Certain types of extensions or alterations to existing agricultural buildings
  • The provision, rearrangement or replacement of a private way
  • The provision of a hard surface

Developments not classed under the General Permitted Development Order would require full planning permission under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

CMS UK can offer professional advice and planning application support for any new farm building or agricultural dwelling projects.

For more information please contact one of our consultants at CMS UK on 01270 522645

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"It is our aim to provide a high quality Planning Service to allow our clients to develop renewable energy and farm diversification projects.."