Changes to rural planning a boon for renovators

Residents in rural communities in England have been given more options to convert agricultural buildings into family homes. Housing Minister Dominic Raab announced the changes to planning last month, saying the new policies will help local authorities meet housing demand.

Permitted development rights will now allow a maximum of five new dwellings to be created from existing agricultural buildings, up from the previous regime, which allowed just three abodes. “I’m changing planning rules so rural communities have more flexibility on how best to use existing buildings to deliver more much-needed homes for families,” Mr Raab said. “This is part of our comprehensive reform programme to build the homes Britain needs.” The amendments to permitted development rights in came into force on the 6th April 2018.