Barn Conversion, Chelmsford, Essex

The existing farmyard actually comprised three agricultural barns, however the client’s brief was to create a single dwelling, and incorporating each of the barn buildings where appropriate.

The scale and amount of agricultural buildings on site exceeded the conversion allowances under Class Q of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. Consequently, a planning application for the conversion was necessary.

The site is also located in the Green Belt. This meant that the main challenge was to create a high-value residential dwelling that preserves the openness of the Green Belt. We achieved this by:

• Providing a contemporary change of use that respects the building’s historic agricultural form and function.

• The removal of existing bulky elements.

• The conversion of the smaller barns to ancillary uses.

We engaged positively with the planning officer throughout the planning process, and the application was subsequently approved.