Steel framed building to convert into dwelling.

[jd6420s]

Hello I am looking to put up a steel framed building to put some machinery under cover. The thing is no one is going to be taking the farm on after me so I am looking to convert the building to a dwelling at a later date. It is well away from the main farmhouse and will have great views.
Does anyone have any tips about the ideal height, size of building or outside appearance of the building which will make it more desirable for conversion in the future.

 

[goodevans]

Hello I am looking to put up a steel framed building to put some machinery under cover. The thing is no one is going to be taking the farm on after me so I am looking to convert the building to a dwelling at a later date. It is well away from the main farmhouse and will have great views.
Does anyone have any tips about the ideal height, size of building or outside appearance of the building which will make it more desirable for conversion in the future.

Oak frame and stone,good thinking but I would be surprised if you can pull that one off

 

[serf]

Can't you get PD on it after the 10 years and reapply to have a new build on the site of the old build at that stage instead of doing it from the start .

 

[George from SJM Planning]

The building will need to be in agricultural use for 10 years to be eligible for Class Q conversion (if it is still available in 10 years time). To meet the current legislation it will need to be structurally capable of conversion without significant alteration so I would suggest the foundations and slab are your main focus.
Height is not important, you can't add floors under Class Q so single storey will be the best use of mass, but think you will have floor build ups and roof insulation so leave yourself space.
Class Q limits you to 150sq/m per dwelling so stick to that or double it if you want a pair of semi's, any larger and you'll end up pulling some of it down or making a terrace (not very desirable).
Also make sure it has an established access to the highway - a new part of the legislation since April.

 

[Nearly]

Fit it with mezz floor for storage after it goes up.
2nd floor ready for conversion.

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Fit it with mezz floor for storage after it goes up.
2nd floor ready for conversion.

Good idea if you can make it structurally sound for conversion. But that will eat into the 150sq/m. It was practical when a house could be 465 but now it is only 150 it seems less important.

 

[Lazy Sod]

The Restoration Couple are doing a very large building on their YouTube channel. After a lot of appeals etc, their planning cost them £50K.

 

[robs1]

The building will need to be in agricultural use for 10 years to be eligible for Class Q conversion (if it is still available in 10 years time). To meet the current legislation it will need to be structurally capable of conversion without significant alteration so I would suggest the foundations and slab are your main focus.
Height is not important, you can't add floors under Class Q so single storey will be the best use of mass, but think you will have floor build ups and roof insulation so leave yourself space.
Class Q limits you to 150sq/m per dwelling so stick to that or double it if you want a pair of semi's, any larger and you'll end up pulling some of it down or making a terrace (not very desirable).
Also make sure it has an established access to the highway - a new part of the legislation since April.

Why can't you add floors to part q( as long as under the max sq footage, I thought internal works don't need planning?

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Why can't you add floors to part q( as long as under the max sq footage, I thought internal works don't need planning?

There is nothing to stop you putting the floor in once it has become a dwelling but under Class Q development is restricted to works necessary to facilitate conversion. It is generally considered that inserting structural elements to create an additional floor goes beyond "what is necessary for conversion".

 

[robs1]

There is nothing to stop you putting the floor in once it has become a dwelling but under Class Q development is restricted to works necessary to facilitate conversion. It is generally considered that inserting structural elements to create an additional floor goes beyond "what is necessary for conversion".

Ok that's interesting as we are about to put in for a part Q, it has a part floor but we want to add a bit to it

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Ok that's interesting as we are about to put in for a part Q, it has a part floor but we want to add a bit to it

In my opinion Class Q is means to an ends - to secure a residential use where residential is not normally permitted.
In a lot of cases this is just a fallback position for a full planning permission for a practical and desirable conversion or even a new build.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Get all the ground-work in and up to current regs. You can’t unwind that part as it will be silly.
Follow the rules.
I know one holding which has taken this route and they will likely have a proper house on the site by now.
So many places to see after seventeen years.
SS

 

[Tamar]

This is just taking the pee out of the planning system. Harsh, but fair !

 

[George from SJM Planning]

This is just taking the pee out of the planning system. Harsh, but fair !

But it is a risk, there is no guarantee that Class Q or barn conversions in general will be permitted when a building built now is eligible.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

IMO. The rules are so much more relaxed today.
If one has the right advisor you can convert most/all buildings into dwellings.
I managed and although the process took nearly two years I obtained permission for all I required and that included rebuilding the remains of a roof-less Victorian parlour.
Follow as much as the guidelines as you can. Yes it will cost but as @George from SJM Planning has written is is the correct way to proceed.
Cheap-skates need not apply.
SS

 

[jd6420s]

The building will need to be in agricultural use for 10 years to be eligible for Class Q conversion (if it is still available in 10 years time). To meet the current legislation it will need to be structurally capable of conversion without significant alteration so I would suggest the foundations and slab are your main focus.
Height is not important, you can't add floors under Class Q so single storey will be the best use of mass, but think you will have floor build ups and roof insulation so leave yourself space.
Class Q limits you to 150sq/m per dwelling so stick to that or double it if you want a pair of semi's, any larger and you'll end up pulling some of it down or making a terrace (not very desirable).
Also make sure it has an established access to the highway - a new part of the legislation since April.

So what size hole would I need to dig for the foundations and what depth would the concrete need to be for the pad? Although under current regs I can't add floors under class Q I think it would best if I made it strong enough so another floor could be put in in the future.

 

[George from SJM Planning]

So what size hole would I need to dig for the foundations and what depth would the concrete need to be for the pad? Although under current regs I can't add floors under class Q I think it would best if I made it strong enough so another floor could be put in in the future.

Probably best to ask a structural engineer - I will be the first to admit I know nothing about construction past the planning stage.

 

[Skintagain]

So what size hole would I need to dig for the foundations and what depth would the concrete need to be for the pad? Although under current regs I can't add floors under class Q I think it would best if I made it strong enough so another floor could be put in in the future.

I have seen some farm buildings done with trench foundations like a house would be done. It’s all there ready then

 

[PhilipB]

It's a balance between practicality now and beauty later.

And it depends if you're a fan of the rather industrial, minimalist "converted steel framed farm building" style.

Personally, if I were prioritizing the conversion , I would do a low single storey building in an L shape, and with a more steeply pitched roof than usual, so that it sat in the landscape like a traditional farmyard, even if built of modern materials

 

[Just because]

@grainboy