Planning a barn conversion?
Barn conversions make truly stunning, spacious homes full of character, but they weren’t built for human comfort and they weren’t always built to last! With their oak beams, stonework and timber cladding, barns are an integral part of the beautifully picturesque Cotswold landscape. Many, however, are in a poor state of repair or need complex technical engineering to ensure that extra floors, adequate water and heating, even internal staircases can be safely added. It is not simply age that can cause problems though – modern barn conversions can also have just as many structural issues as traditional ones.
We design in tandem with structural engineers and surveyors as well as the conservation advisors to provide a complete solution from the foundations up. As Cotswold based architects, we are specialists in alterations to Grade II Listed barn conversions and work in close collaboration with The Heritage Advisory. Many of our projects are either Listed or Heritage sites and we offer expert professional advice on sympathetic, architectural alterations to traditional Cotswold barns.
If you want to convert a barn for residential use you will need Planning Permission and change of use permission. You may not need full Planning Permission and should apply for Class Q Permitted Development if the building was in agricultural use on or before 20th March 2013 or if it is not a Listed Building, or in an AONB, National Park or a conservation area. However, it is still important to check this with either your local planning authority or seek advice from your architect.
Barn conversions are well worth the extra effort and permissions to create beautifully unique living spaces which effortlessly combine generous open plan living with charm and character.
