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Barn conversions

Turn disused, agricultural out buildings into lavish home set in the country side

With the planning laws ever relaxing around converting barns or agricultural buildings, it is increasingly easy to unlock massive value uplift and create beautiful earthy homes in rural areas. Barns come in a variety of sizes and shapes, which gives us architectural designers a big job to do in making spaces work. Our team have carried out conversion projects all over Scarborough and the rest of the UK alike, giving us the experience and the skills that your project needs to really become what it has the potential to be, combining historic character with the best in architectural design.

Contact us today for more information about our barn conversion services

We provide comprehensive advice before any commitment

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Designing a barn conversion

Design options are about the internal layout and keeping any external alterations in character of the building and surroundings. Converting barns will generally need to be within the structural shell, so we need to be clever about how to get light in and views out. The roof may benefit from being vaulted and where possible traditional material finishes such as wood trusses should be exposed. When designing arrange the spaces around the area and then make any opening work both inside and out.

The size orientation and outlook will be the key factors in designing a barn into living spaces, they are typically long and narrow in shapes.  Insulation will typically be formed within the fabric of the building, leaving the existing structure as a material finish. All additional openings, windows and roof lights will be in keeping, no one wants white pvcu windows within a stone and oak structure.

From basic design to full project management, you can tailor your service to you

Planning permission guide

Gaining planning permission

Even though some conversions have had the planning laws relaxed in England and Wales in 2014, there are still many boxes to tick to allow for open countryside development. Changing the use of farm buildings to create homes is now allowed as permitted development (PD). This means express planning permission isn’t needed; although there is a ‘Prior Notification’ procedure to go through.

You can only then work within the existing structure and there must be some form of access and infrastructure. The total floor space of the finished house must not exceed 450m2, for example. And PD status does not extend to listed buildings or designated zones, such as conservation areas and national parks. A sympathetic and sensitive approach to design and construction ensuring the original character remains intact is the right way forward. Other issues need to be in place such as biodiversity reports for bats, owls, newts, and some birds.

What our customers say about us

Lars Cavi
13. November, 2020.
As a developer in Hull, I have been working with CK Architectural on many complex projects and they have always delivered a great professional service. Highly recommended. Lars
Peter Tyas
28. August, 2020.
Great service from the team at CK helping out with a every changing project design. Friendly and knowledgeable service, which I would recommend. Thanks.
Dave Turner
12. July, 2020.
Highly recommend CK Architectural. Chris and his team did a great job gaining planning permission for a new build and renovation of an existing property. We hit some dead ends with the planning officer but Chris found different ways of getting around the problems without going over budget.
Carl Newlands
10. July, 2020.
For someone far removed from the building / planning industries the thought of where to start when thinking of a big extension project to my house (two story to the side and wrap around of semi-detached 3 bed) was a little daunting at first. Luckily, after obtaining a competitive quote, I enlisted the services of CK Architectural and have been very impressed with not only the service received but the ease at which they have made the whole process. After listening to my thoughts and the reasons for needing the extension work doing, the architect came up with a great design that encompassed everything that was needed. Even when I changed my mind over a couple of aspects, Donna, Chris and the team were quick to administer any alterations. Every visit to the house for measurements / planning etc has happened without a hitch with all members of the team we've encountered being punctual and professional at all times. The best thing has been by far the ease at which CK have made of getting all council and local authority sign off for the project. All I have needed to do is pay the fees at the required time, no stress involved and all went through seamlessly. I'm now at the stage where I have the drawings to hand and have submitted them to builders to obtain quotes. Importantly, the feedback so far from the builders indicates the project to be within the budget specifications I explained to CK during the first consultation. Very happy customer 🙂 Carl.
Delwar Hossain
21. May, 2020.
Excellent Service and prompt!! I have taken CK's service twice. Chris and his team is very helpful and most importantly have enough patience to accommodate my frequently changing mind set. I would happily recommend any one to CK Architectural and wish them all the best.
Rockmetteller Woof
11. September, 2019.
Proffesional, helpful & a great price. Produced hard copies & electronic of everything we needed. What more could you ask for .
Carla Dulare
23. August, 2019.
Enjoyed working with CK on our loft conversion, kept us updated along the way and very happy with the outcome and the service. Would highly recommend
P Furley
23. August, 2019.
Great service and really helpful with any changes I wanted to make.

Key factors

  • The site must have been used solely for agricultural use historically.
  • If the site is subject to an agricultural tenancy, landowners must have the express consent of their tenants.
  • The total floorspace of your barn to be converted must be no more than 450m² – if the barn is bigger, you’ll only be able to convert to a maximum of 450m².
  • The barn must have existed prior to the 20th March 2013 (no building new barns). New barns can be built and converted into homes but must exist as solely agricultural buildings for at least 10 years.
  • If bigger then the 450m² can be divided into three separate dwellings.

We have a fully trained team on hand to help however necessary

Building regulations guide

Planning to building regulations

Barn conversions are subject to the same rules as any new build, you will need to provide the following:

 

  • SAP calculations: this will design the energy efficiency of the home and give requirement for insulation and heating performance.

 

  • The building will need to be assessed for structural stability.

 

  • Sound testing will be required on completion but all construction elements affecting sound need to be detailed and built in accordance with approved plans.

 

 All other documents of the building regulations will need to be checked via full plans approval prior to commencing.

After addressing all of this carefully, we will provide you with a detailed set of building regulation drawings that will allow you to tender if you wish and give you a guide for the build.

From that point, you can move forward with your barn conversion project to choose a builder to carry out the work as you see fit, or alternatively, carry out a project management service like ours where we’ll do this for you and manage the whole thing.

Do you have a project?

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