Kent, Surrey and Sussex are full of wonderful barns – some in use for their original agricultural purposes, and others waiting to be given a new lease of life or being enjoyed having been converted.
The rural landscape, countryside, preserving history, beautiful structures and a bespoke home; all make barns an attractive option for wanting to convert one to live in.
But what does it actually involve? From planning permission to costs and timelines, here’s an overview of what you might need to consider.
In most cases, yes, for a variety of reasons. Former agricultural barns can be converted if the right plans are submitted to the local authority – and because we work with many of them on projects across the south east, we know what is likely to be accepted and what’s not – reducing planning time and submission of amends.
Agricultural buildings like barns, can be converted into homes without full planning permission.
This is known as Class Q development.
There are of course, certain caveats, but if you’re considering a barn conversion, applying for permission under the Class Q route could make achieving your dream home a little bit easier on the planning side.
The main criteria to be met are:
• The building must have been used for agricultural purposes on or before 20th March 2013
• Conversion must be possible without full reconstruction
• A maximum of 1000m2 of floorspace may be converted
• Class Q is not permitted in national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Sites of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI), conservation areas or World Heritage Sites
Read more in our blog:
What is class Q and how does it simplify barn and rural conversions?
Project costs will be affected by many different aspects.
Roughly speaking, average costs typically fall between £2,700 and £3,250 per square metre.
• Structural work: Reinforcing old timber frames or replacing damaged roofs.
• Services: Adding electricity, water, drainage, or internet to a rural site.
• Insulation and heating: Barns often have large open spaces and high ceilings, which require consideration around energy.
• Design details: Exposed beams, mezzanine levels, and heritage features add to both character and cost.
We use real-time costing software which means we can price up changes – so if at the design stage, we want to look at a floor to ceiling window, or sinking a floor, we can project the costs before the build starts. Our clients can also take a virtual tour too, enabling them to see their ideas come to life and virtually experience them before a single brick is laid.
From design to moving in, can take anywhere from nine months – depending on the complexity of the plans, build process, and finishing.
We aim for a smooth process, taking care of every aspect for our clients, but sometimes, we have hold-ups; suppliers, weather, unexpected challenges or sometimes, cashflow.
But we are problem-solvers and work around every problem to keep to the timeline as best we can. We have our own team, so we’ll never be waiting for a trade to turn up – something that often holds up a project.
We fully project-manage our builds; our clients have regular updates, discussions with us, site visits, budget and timeframe projections.
Start as you mean to go on – with a good designer and builder who can guide you through and help you to create the home that works for you.
We had tough planning requirements overcome – but we achieved what the client wanted for their home.
See the project from start to finish here
The addition of a second floor provided a fifth bedroom, with principle en-suite.
Take a look around here
Transformed into a luxury holiday let with cinema and games rooms, a a bath with a view…
See inside – and maybe plan a stay here
Have a look at how the windows frame the views here
Get in touch to talk to us about buying a barn for conversion, converting a barn on your land or renovating, refurbishing or upgrading a barn.
Fill in our contact form to ask a question, make an enquiry or book a phone call with us:
Contact Form
Give us a call – if we can speak, we will, otherwise we will arrange a mutually-convenient call back:
01233 861177
Or email us:
enquiries@vernacularhomes.com
For an informal conversation about your project please call us on 01233 861177 or email us using the form. Your data is not used for marketing – only to contact you.
If you have documents - previous designs, plans or photos, please send them to us via email: enquiries@vernacularhomes.com
