Conversion of Agricultural Buildings and Permitted Development

It is now almost certain that changes to liberalise the planning system further to allow the conversion of shops (outside key shopping areas) and redundant, under-utilised agricultural buildings to dwellings as permitted development will take place. The Ministerial Statement issued on 6th March 2014 suggests that the new rights will be subject of a Prior Approval Process in order to allow Council's to assess flooding implications.  The new rights will allow up to 450 square metres to be converted for up to 3 homes BUT this is unlikely to apply to National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably Conservation Areas as well as all designated Article 1(5) land.  

More detail is to follow in due course! 

Eimear