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Planning Changes to help Cotswold Farmers
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Changes to permitted development rights came into force at the end of May improving opportunities for some farmers and estate owners to find alternative uses for their barns without the need to seek planning permission.
Class Q – Agricultural Buildings to Residential
This allows agricultural barns to be converted to dwellings. The key changes are that the 5 dwelling limit has been increased to 10 and the amount of space that be converted is now 1000 sqm. However, the maximum size of each dwelling is now 150sqm.
In addition, barns can be extended to the rear by up to 4m on any hard surface that existed before July 2023.
The qualification date has been re-set at 24th July 2023 therefore if your barn was > 10 years old and had been part of an agricultural unit at that time then Class Q may apply, even if the barn has ceased being used for agriculture. This has meant that far more barns now qualify. Unfortunately, however Class Q does not operate in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Conservation Areas or for Listed Buildings.
Butler Sherborn has recently sold Tellings Barn, Minety with Class Q designation for conversion to a single dwelling. Guide Price £350,000.
Class R – Agricultural Buildings to Commercial
This previously allowed agricultural buildings solely used for agricultural purposes for >10 years to be changed to a number of different use classes including B8 (storage & distribution) but this has now been widened to include use class B2 (general industrial) amongst others. The limit of 500sqm has also been increased to 1000 sqm. Importantly, and unlike Class Q, Class R applies in AONB’s and Conservation Areas so is of greater relevance across the Cotswolds, much of which is in the AONB.
Butler Sherborn has great Planning Consultant and Architect contacts we work with to help our clients explore and take advantage of these opportunities on Farms and Estates. We can help provide formal or informal valuation advice as part of the decision making process or wider strategic business, inheritance or succession planning.
To discuss further please contact Richard Greasby, Head of the Rural & Professional Department 01285 883740 richard@butlersherborn.co.uk
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Reflections on the Rural Land Market 2024 together with this Summer’s harvest
The Land Market - The volume of farmland for sale in the first half of 2024 was about 30% higher than the same period in 2023. According to industry indexes the average value of arable land is now just under £10,000/ac and just under £8,000/ac for pasture. However the actual prices achieved vary...
Reflections on the Rural Land Market 2024 together with this Summer’s harvest![Sketch](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fjs7r23bq%2Fproduction%2F8f0f83bd258c0a7ff778828b1c689153a5ebcfed-8192x5464.jpg?rect=0,428,8192,4608%26w=608%26h=342%26fit=crop%26auto=format&w=640&q=85)
Stability in the Cotswolds Residential Market ahead of the Autumn Statement
Predicting the strength or otherwise of the residential market is always difficult, and with the variables which affect it finely balanced, the task is challenging.
Stability in the Cotswolds Residential Market ahead of the Autumn Statement![Good Gathers](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fjs7r23bq%2Fproduction%2F0fe153ef0cfe6dec702a1c21f74c182869b46307-8192x5464.jpg?rect=0,428,8192,4608%26w=608%26h=342%26fit=crop%26auto=format&w=640&q=85)
Good Gathers Pop Up Restaurant, The Cornwell Estate, Chipping Norton OX7 5YG
The brilliant and gifted gang of Ross and Ross Events have launched their farm to food experience on The Cornwell Estate. Ross Events are established bespoke caterers, and have been operating in the Cotswolds for over a decade.
Good Gathers Pop Up Restaurant, The Cornwell Estate, Chipping Norton OX7 5YG![Vineyard](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fjs7r23bq%2Fproduction%2F5df6bf85d1d6583f36e3c1e8d35f86502ce23100-929x620.webp?rect=0,49,929,523%26w=608%26h=342%26fit=crop%26auto=format&w=640&q=85)
Dryhill Wines , Cheltenham – Award- winning Fine English Bubbly
Dryhill vineyard is situated on free draining limestone terraces cut by the Romans. It nestles in a fold on the side of the Cotswold escarpment at around 130m above sea level. Dryhill Wines has recently been awarded a Silver medal at an international blind tasting, ranking their English bubbly higher than over 100 Champagne Houses, including Veuve Cliquot!
Dryhill Wines , Cheltenham – Award- winning Fine English Bubbly