ChrisF8

Hi all, After going thorough pre-planning with East Herts I had very mixed feedback on a proposed knock down and rebuild for a barn and a stable block to make into one dwelling (in the green belt) Because of this feedback (and time constraints on the sale of our house) I was thinking about submitting two planning applications but a few weeks apart. The first one for the full site redevelopment and the second for just the redevelopment of the barn (and then we would address the stable in the future) My thinking is that if the full development gets refused we have another application ready to be reviewed only a couple of weeks later. We have a hard deadline of October 31 before our buyers mortgage runs out so waiting isn’t really an option. I’m no planning expert so I’m wondering if this is frowned upon by councils or I’m running any risks here?

Yes the main barn is over 4 metered high high so plenty of headroom, cross section attached

I’ve re-read the report and it states: The building is constructed of wooden frames which are secured in a concrete floor which showed no signs of cracking. I was presented with a trial hole which concluded that the existing floor is approx 200mm of reinforced concrete. The building consists of internal bays which vary in width. The roof is corrugated sheet metal and the surrounding sides are all black shiplap wooden boards. On inspection the wooden frames are secured by concrete footings and cross members are treated timber and in good order. These showed no signs of deterioration and in my opinion will be sufficient to carry the weight of the proposed new alterations for a single storey conversion as shown in the sketched drawings. I’m not totally convinced but the report as the company seems to no longer exist so I think I’ll get a second opinion. We’re likely to go for full planning anyway but only once we know we have the fallback position of Class Q so we can purchase the land. The barn is over 150 years old, I’m not sure on the construction type so have uploaded pics of the internal beams. Thanks everyone for your input

We need some advice with a piece of land we’re looking to purchase. It has a single storey barn on it with class q approval. On further inspection the barn is sitting on a 200mm concrete slab that I’m presuming wouldn’t pass building regs as suitable foundations…so we would need to underpin it. my question is… is underpinning classified as ‘new foundations’ or it reinforcement of the existing slab? Either way does this invalidate the granted permission as the class q conditions state: The regulations do not allow the introduction of new foundations, loadbearing floor slabs or significant rebuilding works.

Thanks all for your input, I think we’re going to go for full planning application that includes the stables sooner rather than later. Then make some decisions based on the appetite of the LPA so we don’t run short on time for the class q if it’s rejected 👍

Hi I’m purchasing a plot of land with a barn on it. The barn has Class Q planning permission on it. Ideally I want to also convert the stables on site (attaching them to the barn). I understand I’ll need to go for full planning permission and I’ve put it in a pre-planning application to the council. My question is, does the Class Q granted mean that the residential status of the land has changed or is it only changed after the proposed conversion is complete? I’m finding Class Q has so many restrictions and pitfalls that it might just be worth asking the council to knock it all down and build from scratch.

Hi, This is our first self build/barn conversion and I’m finding the design process a bit confusing so I wonder if you can help me with who I might need to appoint and when. We’ve basically had class Q permission granted on a barn conversion. The plans I have are for the planning only and drawn up by an architect (not someone I appointed). I’ve been told I need to appoint the following: Structural engineer - to check the load bearing of the frame and see if we need to underpin. Architect - to draw up construction plans Quantity Surveyor - to work out estimates for the build. is this correct? And in the right order? Any recommendations for the services appreciated

Good to hear EHDC aren’t as difficult as they once were. They’re starting to accept pre-planning forms agains so I think I’ll go down this route to get a feel for permission. Fingers crossed, thanks for all your advice

@IanR it was granted a month or so ago so we still have 3 years to complete. That sounds like a sensible plan and it think I’ll have a chat to the architect about this approach. Thank you @Post and beam I don’t want to say just yet as we’re still in the legal process. How did you find East Herts to deal with on your project, I’ve heard they are particularly tricky

Hi everyone, We’re new to this forum so please go easy with us! We’ve just purchased a Barn conversion in Hertfordshire with class Q planning permission. The plot consists of a main Barn and two Stables (in a U configuration). The plot has permission to convert the main barn into a dwelling but not the stables. Ideally we would connect the stables to the barn to include a larger kitchen/diner and garages etc. My question is…are we better off completing the barn under the current application, move in, and then submitting planning permission to convert the rest of the stables or going back to the council and requesting full planning permission before we build anything? and help would be appreciated thanks Chris 2044 - SK02.pdf