Rural Planning
As a specialist rural planning consultancy, HL Rural provides strategic advice and a planning service for the rural landowners, farmers, and equestrians across the South West of England.
Planning Applications: We manage the full planning application processes on behalf of our clients from the initial site assessment and feasibility to advising on planning policy and designations as well as the practicalities involved in putting together an application, including liaising with other consultants on their behalf.
Agricultural & Rural Projects: HL Rural have a wealth of experience with advising farmers and rural landowners in relation to securing permission for new agricultural buildings, infrastructure, horticulture, and farm diversification projects such as camping and glamping sites, farm shops, agri food businesses, rural wedding venues etc. to assist with diversification or to increase the viability of their rural business.
Conversions & Dwellings: We specialise in advising rural landowners with barns for conversion in relation to the best route to planning for them. We have had success with traditional barn conversion planning approvals as well as modern Class Q (and Class Q supersede) residential conversions, Class R flexible business uses, and replacement dwellings in lieu of Class Q permission.
Professional Collaboration: We regularly work alongside land agents, solicitors, accountants, farm business consultants, ecologists and other professionals to support private clients, estates, and landowners through the planning process.
Areas of rural planning we cover
Rural Exception Sites
Barn conversions
Agricultural & rural workers dwellings
rural diversification
SElf-build dwellings
glamping Sites
agricultural buidlings
Equestrian Planning
Infill and rounding off sites
rural commercial units
campsites
CASE STUDIES
frequently asked questions
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Open countryside policies restrict unallocated residential development. Planners strictly assess local need, sustainability, transport access, and landscape impact.
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Yes. Many South West sites fall within National Parks or National Landscapes (formerly AONBs), where design constraints are tighter and permitted development rights are heavily curtailed.
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Yes, agricultural conversions, rural enterprise dwellings, and tourism/glamping proposals are ideal subjects for a pre-application enquiry to test economic justification criteria.
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Often. Rural plots often trigger requirements for extended phase 1 habitat surveys, protected species assessments (bats, great crested newts), or adherence to biodiversity net gain regulations.