Last week we had an enquiry from a potential client who referred to the loosening of the rules and referenced "Clarkson's Clause".

There has been quite a bit of chat on social and in the press about the effect of Clarkson’s farm on planning laws and making it easier to get planning.

What this is referring to is a permitted development right called Class R which has actually been around for a few years, so isn’t really new although there has been some recent changes. Class R allows the change of use of agricultural buildings to certain commercial uses without needing full planning permission, applicants just have to submit a ‘prior notification’ application which is relatively straightforward.

These are the headlines:

Class R allows:

  • The change of use of up to 1000m2 of floor space
  • Uses can include industrial, storage and distribution, workshops, retail, professional services, restaurants, cafes
  • Can’t be a listed building
  • Can be in National Park, AONB, conservation area
  • Building needs to have been in existence and in agricultural use for last 10 years

If you have buildings that you think may be suitable for Class R and would like further advice, please call our friendly team.

01299 667344

hello@theruralplanningco.co.uk