An old stone farm building with a weathered slate roof surrounded by overgrown greenery, with tree branches framing the scene and the words Rural Planning overlaid.

Rural Planning

“We cover all aspects of rural planning to include:”

  • Pre-planning applications

  • Class Q conversion of agricultural buildings to residential

  • Class R permitted development of agricultural buildings to business use

  • Agricultural and occupational dwellings

  • Affordable self-build dwellings in the countryside

  • Rural Exception Sites

  • Agricultural buildings

  • Diversification projects e.g. rural wedding venue, farm shop, rural business units etc.

  • Glamping

  • Campsites

  • Barn conversions

  • Agricultural appraisals

  • Diversification appraisals and viability assessment to support planning applications

 

frequently asked questions

  • Open countryside policies restrict unallocated residential development. Planners strictly assess local need, sustainability, transport access, and landscape impact.

  • 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.

  • Yes, agricultural conversions, rural enterprise dwellings, and tourism/glamping proposals are ideal subjects for a pre-application enquiry to test economic justification criteria.

  • 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.

Book A Consultation