Barn renovations & conversions has only grown in popularity as time goes on. It’s no wonder that so many people are after a converted barn as a home for themselves.
The natural beauty and rustic aesthetic of a barn, coupled with grand elements, such as high ceilings and lovely countryside locations are just a few reasons barns are incredibly sought-after by hopeful homeowners.
If you have found yourself in the market for turning a barn into a home or hope to one day, you must be clear on what you’re looking for. Our construction company in East of England know that a barn-to-house conversion is no simple task and should be given a decent amount of thought before rushing into it.
There are three main architectural types of barns that could be turned into a home:
- Box construction barn
- Cruck framed barn
- Post & truss barn
Each one is different, therefore requiring unique approaches to conversion. In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at each to give you a better insight into the different types of barns.
Box Construction Barn
The first type of barn is a box construction barn. What makes up this type of barn is actually very simple, it means that the entire structure of the barn is supported by its four walls – the front, back, left and right walls.
Cruck Framed Barn
A cruck framed barn is slightly more complex than the former box construction barn. They share the similarity that the walls of the barn support the structure. But with this type of barn, the walls are aided in support by internal timber A-frames.
Post and Truss Barn
Lastly, the post and truss barn is different from the others. To support the entire weight of the roof, an internal timber frame is used. This timber frame then adjoins with vertically placed posts for added support.
Requirements and Regulations for Barn Conversions Under Permitted Development Rights
When converting a barn, there is something these different types of barns have in common. And that is they must meet certain requirements to be able to be converted under permitted development rights.
Barn conversions can fall under Class Q of permitted development rights. This means that if you and your building meet certain criteria, you can convert a barn into a house or something else without the need for planning permission.
Here are some main points to keep in mind if you want to convert a barn under PDR:
- The barn you are hoping to convert must have been used in agriculture on 20th March 2013 or within 10 years up until you apply to convert.
- The barn must not be a listed building or in a conservation area, national park or area of outstanding natural beauty.
- The barn conversion must reflect the original use of the barn. This means to retain the original character of the building.
- The barn will need to be structurally sound – remember that this is a conversion project and not a new building.
Before entering into the world of barn converting and planning permission and PDR, it’s a good idea to consult a specialist who has experience in all of these areas, like Bespoke Construction Group.
Final Thoughts
Barn conversions are an amazing property venture. That being said, renovating a barn can be a challenging project to undertake; sometimes coming with hidden surprises and costs.
Also, permitted development rights mean a barn renovation can go ahead without the need for planning permission, but you then have to consider the requirements and regulations.
To sum up, if you’re hoping to convert a barn to turn into a home, then you’d best hire a construction company to handle the project. Bespoke Construction Group has extensive experience with all types of home renovation work. We have the ability and skills to take a project from start to finish.
To find out how Bespoke Construction Group could help you with your barn renovation, get in touch with us today.
