Planning permission for change of use
Changing what a building is used for, barn to home, shop to flat, office to house, may need full planning permission, or may be possible through a prior-approval route.
Planning groups buildings into “use classes”. Some changes within or between classes are automatically allowed, some are permitted through a prior-approval application, and some need a full application. Getting the right route can make or break a conversion.
- Class Q: converting an agricultural building (such as a barn) to a home, via prior approval
- Class MA: commercial, business and service (Class E) premises to homes (Class C3), via prior approval, subject to conditions
- Some minor changes within the same use class
- Each route has size caps, condition and location limits, and prior approval is still required
- Changes that fall outside the permitted routes, or exceed their limits
- Buildings on designated land, or listed, where extra controls apply
- Creating additional dwellings beyond what the route allows
- Cases where the council refuses prior approval
Don't forget building regs
A change of use almost always brings building regulations into play: a barn or shop must be brought up to residential standards for structure, insulation, fire safety, ventilation and drainage. This is often the largest part of the work, and our engineers and technicians handle it.
Change of use is our specialism where barns are concerned, see our Class Q barn conversions. For commercial-to-residential we also work as commercial architects. We confirm the route, prepare the prior-approval or planning application, and design the conversion to building-regs standard.
Frequently asked
Can I convert a barn into a house without full planning permission?
Often through Class Q permitted development, which allows agricultural buildings to become homes via a prior-approval application: subject to size, condition and location limits. Where Class Q does not apply, a full planning application is the route. We assess which fits your barn.
Can I turn a shop or office into a home?
Frequently yes, under Class MA, which allows commercial (Class E) premises to change to residential (Class C3) through prior approval, subject to conditions. Some cases still need full permission. We check eligibility before you commit.
Not sure where your project stands?
Checking whether you need planning permission is one of the first things we do: on the house, before any drawings. Tell us about your project and we'll confirm the route.