Rise in barn conversions hits councils in the pocket
A BOOM in barn conversions is meaning that rural communities are missing out on thousands of pounds in funding for GPS and schools due to a planning loophole, town halls are warning.
There has been a near-trebling in farm buildings being converted into homes in recent years, as developers do not have to apply for full planning permission. This means that they are able to avoid paying councils four-figure sums that are used to fund local services, such as schools and roads.
The Local Government Association (LGA) warned that, as a result, many rural communities were missing out on funding for key local services.
Traditionally, developers have to offer to pay money as a condition of planning permission if their new homes are likely to lead to greater pressure on local services. However, under the National Planning Policy Framework introduced nine years ago, developers who convert barns or other farm buildings into five or fewer homes can avoid having to apply for full planning permission from councils.
By using so-called planning agreements instead, the builders cannot be forced to contribute to local services, costing councils thousands of pounds in cash for local services each time.
Councils are also not able to force the developers to build affordable homes as part of the permission for the works to start.
Latest figures show 743 homes in England were created as a result of socalled “agricultural to residential conversions” in 2019-20 under permitted development rights, compared with 226 in 2015-16.
Devon saw the highest number of agricultural buildings turned into homes in 2019-20 with 127 conversions, followed by Dorset (73), Kent (68), Northamptonshire (33) and Essex (30).
The LGA said permitted development rights, used to convert nearly 65,000 offices into homes since 2015-16, should be scrapped.
A Ministry of Housing spokesman said: “Our reforms will protect our cherished countryside and green spaces as well as deliver high-quality and sustainable homes. The permitted development right for the change of use from agricultural buildings supports farmers to diversify and provides much needed homes to buy or to rent.”