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Barn conversions

Turn disused, agricultural out buildings into lavish home set in the country side

Barn conversions in Bristol and Bath really do have a huge potential to become beautiful and comfortable homes. Whether you’re choosing to create a new space for yourself or even to generate income and build property value, they really do know no bounds as to what they have to offer.

We work with you and the existing structure to create a stunning space that’s perfectly suited to your needs that are modern and efficient as well as sleek and stylish in line with your visions and ideas.

With decades of experience in architectural design, we tailor your project to you and your needs, making sure you have everything you want from your build even with the tricky build and shape that they may pose currently.

Contact the team today to speak with one of your highly trained professionals who will give you all of the advice and information you need.

We provide comprehensive advice before any commitment

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Designing a barn conversion

As with all new build designs, especially converting a barn, you need to consider the impact, amenity, utilities, access, services & ventilation. Your barn conversion will need to get passed through building regulations even with the new legislation making barns easier to convert than ever, and that reflects in every detail of our design. The size, orientation and outlook will be the key factors in designing a barn into a modern living space.

Barn Conversions are typically long buildings, and so through rooms are not always avoidable, but with high apex roofs, you can create wonderful open mezzanine and galleries. Insulation will typically be formed within the fabric of the building, leaving the existing structure as the external finish. All additional openings, windows and roof light will be in keeping too to prevent any devaluing repercussions where possible, like adding white PVC to a brick and wooden structure.

To create the right design, you will need to decide how many rooms you want, and which rooms need orientating to the best outlook. Generally, the space you have available is the size of the outer walls, with some deduction for the new insulated internals.

Once the rooms are laid out, access, hallways, toilets, en-suites and the all-important glazing can be worked out. Split levels are a great feature too. Sometimes you can make up in height what you may not have in floor area and add a huge level of space and practicality.

From basic design to full project management, you can tailor your service to you

Planning permission guide

Gaining planning permission

Barn conversions usually face stiff opposition from the local authority and local residents, due to farm building protection, open countryside development restrictions, infrastructure, and sustainability. Despite that, however, the Barn Conversion clause comes about as part of a new Class – MB – into Part 3 of the Second Schedule of the General Permitted Development Order.

This new class authorises the change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from use as an agricultural building to a use falling within Class C3 – dwellings. It also authorises building operations ‘reasonably’ necessary to convert the building to residential use.

The site must have been used solely for agricultural use and have existed as a barn by 20th March 2013 (no building new barns!). New barns can be built and converted into homes but must exist as solely agricultural buildings for at least 10 years.

The total floor space of your barn must be no more than 450m². If the barn is bigger, you’ll only be able to convert to a maximum of 450m². The 450m² can be divided into three separate dwellings.

If the site is subject to an agricultural tenancy, landowners must have the express consent of their tenants. Transport, noise impact, contamination, flood risk. and ‘Whether the location or siting of the building makes it otherwise impractical or undesirable for the building to change from agricultural use to residential use.

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Key factors

  • The site must have been used solely for agricultural use historically.
  • If the site is subject to an agricultural tenancy, landowners must have the express consent of their tenants.
  • The total floorspace of your barn to be converted must be no more than 450m² – if the barn is bigger, you’ll only be able to convert to a maximum of 450m².
  • The barn must have existed prior to the 20th March 2013 (no building new barns). New barns can be built and converted into homes but must exist as solely agricultural buildings for at least 10 years.
  • If bigger then the 450m² can be divided into three separate dwellings.

We have a fully trained team on hand to help however necessary

Building regulations guide

Planning to building regulations

Barn conversions are subject to the same rules as any new build. You will need to provide the following:

  • SAP calculations, this will design the energy efficiency of the home and give requirement for insulation and heating performance.
  • Disposal of waste and drainage.
  • Access.
  • The building will need to be assessed for structural stability.
  • Sound testing will be required on completion but all construction elements affecting sound need to be detailed and built in accordance with approved plans.
  • All other documents of the building regulations will need to be checked via full plans approval before commencing

Part B – Fire Safety

Part C – Site preparation and resistance to contaminates and moisture

Part D – Toxic Substances

Part E – Resistance to the passage of sound

Part F – Ventilation

Part G – Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency

Part H – Drainage and Waste Disposal

Part J – Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems

Part K – Protection from falling, collision and impact

Part L – Conservation of fuel and power

Part M – Access to and use of buildings

Part N – Glazing Safety (Withdrawn)

Part P – Electrical Safety

Part Q – Security

After addressing all of this carefully, we will provide you with a detailed set of building regulation drawings that will allow you to tender if you wish and give you a guide for the build.

From that point, you can move forward with your barn conversion project to choose a builder to carry out the work as you see fit, or alternatively, carry out a project management service like ours where we’ll do this for you and manage the whole thing.

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