Fuller Long have successfully gained prior approval for a change of use of an agricultural barn to form a new residential home (Use Class C3) in Gravesend, Kent.
Our client envisioned the change of a vacant two-storey detached barn into a residential dwelling. Our clients creative vision included the removal of tin cladding, roof works and a refurbishment of the interior of the building to create a fit for purpose residential home. An application for prior approval was advised as the best route to achieve formal planning consent.
An added layer of complexity was discovered, as a previous application had been submitted by a former owner of the land that had resulted in a refusal on the grounds of insufficient information regarding the structural integrity of the building. As such, the revised application was supported by evidence from independent expert structural engineers who could prove that the building was well-built and, subject to some minor repair work, could be comfortably converted into a house. In addition to the structural engineering reports, the application was supported by a contaminated land assessment, noise reports and highways reports that all concluded that the development would not have any adverse impacts on traffic, noise or pollution to the surrounding area.
There were also a number of benefits that came with the barn conversion which we noted within our supporting statement. The site was well-placed for a redevelopment of this scale, it was a sustainable and accessible site close to the village centre with nearby public services and transport connections. It was also located in close proximity to residential properties benefitting from an existing shared access road.
We are pleased to say that by putting forward a thorough and robust application, our team were able to achieve permission through the use of the prior notification system for our client.
Fuller Long consultants are well versed in the submission of applications for prior notification for the change of use from agricultural barns to residential and would be pleased to assist any persons considering a Barn Conversion in the Home Counties and beyond. To discuss a planning issue in regards to any residential development, please call us on 0808 164 1288 for a no obligation conversation or email us at hello@fullerlong.com.
Image source: https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/
