The Arkhi team has recently begun the design stage of converting a disused farm with seven agricultural buildings into residential homes, working within Class Q legislation.

Class Q is a provision within UK planning legislation that permits the conversion of qualifying agricultural buildings into residential dwellings through a process known as permitted development, avoiding the need for a full planning application. It was introduced to encourage the reuse of redundant farm buildings, supporting rural communities and housing needs while reducing pressure on greenfield sites.

The legislation allows a limited number of homes to be created, subject to restrictions on floor area, structural soundness, and location, ensuring that conversions are practical and sensitive to their surroundings. While external alterations must remain minimal, features such as windows, doors, and essential services can be added to make the building habitable. Local planning authorities retain oversight through a prior approval process, which considers factors like transport access, flood risk, noise, and the impact on the character of the area.

In essence, Class Q strikes a balance between preserving the rural landscape and enabling sustainable development, giving landowners a pathway to repurpose disused farm buildings into much-needed housing.