If you’re lucky enough to own and in a position to purchase a barn or agricultural build suitable for converting CK Architectural design experts will help you with barn conversion. We love the character and of historic country living balanced with modern comforts only a barn can provide. We like to work with the beautiful and traditional characteristics whilst ensuring modern lifestyle comforts are maintained. Enhancing views out, getting light in and making a warm and habitable environment is key to a good design. We can carry out a feasibility study before you get into big application fees and professional reports.
Even though some conversions have had the planning laws relaxed there are still many boxes to tick to allow for open countryside development. In April 2014, the rules for barn conversions were relaxed in England and wales. Changing the use of farm buildings to create homes is now allowed as permitted development (PD). This means express planning permission isn’t needed; although there is a ‘Prior Notification’ procedure to go through. You can only then work within the existing structure and there must be some form of access and infrastructure. The total floorspace of the finished house must not exceed 450m2, for example. And PD status doesn’t extend to listed buildings or designated zones, such as conservation areas and national parks. A sympathetic and sensitive approach to design and construction ensuring the original character remain intact is the right way forward. Other issues need to be in place such as bio diversity reports for bats, owls, newts and some birds.
Although you will have a shell to build within, barns were often built to a poor standard, we would always advise a full structural assessment before commencement. It can be difficult to control the cost if there are unknown issues and the structure cannot take further weight. Some concessions from building control can be made on conversions achieving the new build status. Like a new build you will need service in, protection from moisture, ventilation, heating, energy efficiency, fire protection etc. This can be worked though with our comprehensive building regulations package.
