Planning Permission Secured for the Conversion of a Stable Barn on the Edge of London
Our planning consultants have secured planning consent for the conversion of a stable barn on the edge of London as a self-build project.
We worked proactively with the London Borough of Havering to ensure a positive decision.
The Barn’s Edge of London Location
The site is located within a rural area on the London / Essex borders and is located within the Metropolitan Green Belt. The building was constructed as a stable, but in recent times has become vacant and redundant for that use.
ADP were asked to explore whether a favourable planning consent could be gained for the residential conversion of this stable barn building.
Following a detailed assessment of the planning and contextual position, we were able to advise that despite being located within the Metropolitan Green Belt, the principle of securing a residential development at this site was acceptable. We put forward a robust planning strategy that was enacted and resulted in this planning consent.
National Planning Policy and Barn Conversions
The NPPF explains that the fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open.
It also states that inappropriate development is, by definition, harmful to the Green Belt and should not be approved, except in very special circumstances. The NPPF advises further that a local planning authority should regard the construction of new buildings as inappropriate in the Green Belt.
Despite this very restrictive approach to development, it can still be possible to secure planning permission for development in certain circumstances.
The NPPF acknowledges that certain other forms of development are also not inappropriate in the Green Belt. One example includes the re-use of buildings, such as the equestrian barn in this case, provided that the buildings are of permanent and substantial construction.
For the purposes of planning, stable buildings very rarely fall under an agricultural use, however they do fall within the definition of previously developed land. This is can also be an important consideration when considering proposals within the Green Belt such as this one.
Barn Conversions as a Self-Build Project
The conversion of rural buildings represents an excellent self-build option as the planning position is often more favourable and the buildings themselves often allow for flexible and highly individual designs and spaces.
Contact Us to Discuss Your Barn Conversion Project?
ADP are very experienced at securing planning consent for barn conversions and projects within the Green Belt. If you have such a project, please contact us at mail@adpltd.co.uk to discuss further or use the form below:
