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Barn conversions

Turn disused, agricultural out buildings into lavish home set in the country side

Barn conversions in Birmingham and the West Midlands are an incredible way to make an incredible living space that can be both a modern, comfortable living situation as well as an aesthetic and rural beauty. We love the character with historic country living balanced with modern comforts only a barn conversion can provide. We like to work with 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 free feasibility study before you get into big application fees and professional reports.

Contact us today for more information about our barn conversion services

We provide comprehensive advice before any commitment

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Designing a barn conversion

To make your barn conversion perfect, there are some important factors regarding the shape and structure of the building that need to be factored in, both in the design and how it will result.

Some key areas to note are:

  • Insulation will typically be formed within the fabric of the building, leaving the existing structure as a material finish
  • All additional openings, windows and roof lights will need to be in keeping, no white uPVC windows within a stone and oak structure
  • Although through rooms may be necessary, high apex roofs can create wonderful open mezzanines and galleries
  • You need utilities, access, services and to adhere to all the building regulations as you would a new build

From basic design to full project management, you can tailor your service to you

Planning permission guide

Gaining planning permission

Even though some conversions have had the planning laws relaxed in England and Wales in 2014, there are still many boxes to tick to allow for open countryside development. 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 floor space of the finished house must not exceed 450m2, for example. And PD status does not 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 remains intact is the right way forward. Other issues need to be in place such as biodiversity reports for bats, owls, newts, and some birds.

What our customers say about us

Lars Cavi
13. November, 2020.
As a developer in Hull, I have been working with CK Architectural on many complex projects and they have always delivered a great professional service. Highly recommended. Lars
Peter Tyas
28. August, 2020.
Great service from the team at CK helping out with a every changing project design. Friendly and knowledgeable service, which I would recommend. Thanks.
Dave Turner
12. July, 2020.
Highly recommend CK Architectural. Chris and his team did a great job gaining planning permission for a new build and renovation of an existing property. We hit some dead ends with the planning officer but Chris found different ways of getting around the problems without going over budget.
Carl Newlands
10. July, 2020.
For someone far removed from the building / planning industries the thought of where to start when thinking of a big extension project to my house (two story to the side and wrap around of semi-detached 3 bed) was a little daunting at first. Luckily, after obtaining a competitive quote, I enlisted the services of CK Architectural and have been very impressed with not only the service received but the ease at which they have made the whole process. After listening to my thoughts and the reasons for needing the extension work doing, the architect came up with a great design that encompassed everything that was needed. Even when I changed my mind over a couple of aspects, Donna, Chris and the team were quick to administer any alterations. Every visit to the house for measurements / planning etc has happened without a hitch with all members of the team we've encountered being punctual and professional at all times. The best thing has been by far the ease at which CK have made of getting all council and local authority sign off for the project. All I have needed to do is pay the fees at the required time, no stress involved and all went through seamlessly. I'm now at the stage where I have the drawings to hand and have submitted them to builders to obtain quotes. Importantly, the feedback so far from the builders indicates the project to be within the budget specifications I explained to CK during the first consultation. Very happy customer 🙂 Carl.
Delwar Hossain
21. May, 2020.
Excellent Service and prompt!! I have taken CK's service twice. Chris and his team is very helpful and most importantly have enough patience to accommodate my frequently changing mind set. I would happily recommend any one to CK Architectural and wish them all the best.

Key factors

  • The site must have been used solely for agricultural use historically.
  • If the site is subject to an agricultural tenancy, landowners must have the express consent of their tenants.
  • The total floorspace of your barn to be converted must be no more than 450m² – if the barn is bigger, you’ll only be able to convert to a maximum of 450m².
  • The barn must have existed prior to the 20th March 2013 (no building new barns). New barns can be built and converted into homes but must exist as solely agricultural buildings for at least 10 years.
  • If bigger then the 450m² can be divided into three separate dwellings.

We have a fully trained team on hand to help however necessary

Building regulations guide

Planning to building regulations

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 the commencement of your barn conversion in Birmingham.

It can be difficult to control the cost if there are unknown issues and the structure cannot take the 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, and a range of other things too, but this can be worked through with our comprehensive building regulations package.

All other documents of the building regulations will need to be checked via full plans approval prior to commencing.

After addressing all of this carefully, we will provide you with a detailed set of building regulation drawings that will allow you to tender if you wish and give you a guide for the build.

From that point, you can move forward with your barn conversion project to choose a builder to carry out the work as you see fit, or alternatively, carry out a project management service like ours where we’ll do this for you and manage the whole thing.

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