Blog: Department for Levelling
Up, Housing and Communities
There has been significant coverage in the media after new
planning reforms came into effect that make it easier for farmers
to convert unused buildings into new homes and shops.
The major changes give farmers across England greater freedoms to
diversify and grow their business, without having to spend time
and money submitting a planning application.
They will be able to convert agricultural buildings and land into
new lucrative business opportunities, such as outdoor sports
facilities, larger farm shops and farm training centres, as well
as housing, thanks to the changes to permitted development
rights.
The story was covered by national titles The
Telegraph, and The Express,
as well as Inside
Housing, Housing
Today, Shropshire
Star and farming trade
outlets; Farmers
Weekly, Farming
UK, Farmers
Guardian and Farmers
Guide amongst others. Most of the coverage
included a supportive quote from the Housing Minister , who said the changes will give farmers the freedom to
grow their businesses and plan for their futures.
The Housing Secretary was also interviewed by BBC's
Farming Today about the changes. During the interview the
Secretary of State highlighted the positive impact this change
could have for the farming industry in converting property into
commercial spaces or affordable housing. When challenged on
whether this could lead to a surge in holiday lets, the Secretary
of State pointed to local authority powers to decline planning
applications for such properties if it becomes overwhelming.
Regarding ‘nimbyism', he said that “the broader health of our
farming economy and rural England matters more than an individual
who worries that what was once a barn has become a home”.
The Government has extended permitted development rights to give
farmers greater freedoms to diversify and convert agricultural
buildings to commercial uses, as well as up to 10 homes, without
needing to submit a planning application. These rules are subject
to space and natural light conditions, to ensure homes are
suitable. This will help turbocharge rural housing development,
with just 5,000 homes delivered on farming land since April 2014.
Minister for Housing, Planning and Building Safety said:
Farmers are the lifeblood of communities, and these changes give
them the freedom to grow their businesses, and plan for their
futures.
This is all part of our Long-term Plan for Housing to deliver
more homes for rural communities and reform the planning system,
removing unnecessary barriers to development.
