What is Class Q Permitted Development?
Class Q permitted development allows agricultural buildings to be converted into residential dwellings without applying for full planning permission.
In simple terms, Class Q enables a change of use from agricultural to residential (Use Class C3), provided the proposal meets a specific set of criteria.
It applies to:
- Buildings on or forming part of an established agricultural unit (e.g. a farm holding)
- Limited building operations that are reasonably necessary to convert the structure
- Land within the curtilage of the agricultural building
This makes Class Q one of the most powerful permitted development rights available to developers looking to unlock value from rural sites that would otherwise struggle to gain consent.
Changes to Class Q Permitted Development (May 2024)
Before getting into the detail, it’s important to note that Class Q rules changed on 21 May 2024.
These updates significantly expanded what can be delivered under Class Q — but also introduced tighter controls in some areas.
Key changes introduced in May 2024:
✅ Maximum cumulative floorspace increased to 1,000 sqm
✅ Up to 10 dwellings now permitted (previously 5)
✅ Greater flexibility around which agricultural buildings can qualify
❌ Maximum size per dwelling reduced to 150 sqm (down from 465 sqm)
❌ Suitable public road access is now mandatory
For developers, this means more homes overall, but with smaller individual unit sizes and stricter access requirements.
How much can you build under Class Q?
Under the current rules, you can now deliver:
- Up to 10 dwellings
- Maximum of 150 sqm per dwelling
- Maximum total floorspace of 1,000 sqm
Example scenarios:
- 10 dwellings at 100 sqm each = 1,000 sqm total
- 6 dwellings at 150 sqm + 1 dwelling at 100 sqm = 1,000 sqm total
This flexibility allows developers to tailor schemes to local demand while staying within the legislation.
What to consider when assessing Class Q opportunities
Class Q is not automatic. All schemes must go through Prior Approval, and councils assess proposals against a defined set of criteria.
Key considerations include:
- The building must have formed part of an agricultural unit on or before 24 July 2023
- The building must not have been used for non-agricultural purposes since that date
- No dwelling may exceed 150 sqm
- The proposal must not exceed 10 dwellings in total
- Complete demolition is not permitted — only partial demolition within the existing footprint
- Class Q applies to the entire agricultural unit, not individual buildings
- Buildings must be structurally capable of conversion
- Dwellings must meet Nationally Described Space Standards
- Suitable public road access is required
- A single-storey rear extension (up to 4m x 4m) may be permitted if built on hardstanding that existed on 24 July 2023
- Councils will assess:
- Location and siting
- Proximity to noisy or disruptive agricultural uses
- Design quality and justification
Design remains one of the most subjective elements, making early due diligence essential.
Why Class Q is particularly attractive right now
One of the biggest advantages of Class Q is that it allows new homes to be delivered in the Green Belt.
Ordinarily, agricultural buildings do not count as previously developed land, making conventional planning routes extremely challenging. Class Q bypasses many of these hurdles.
It also:
- Removes the need to demonstrate site sustainability
- Allows development in rural and edge-of-settlement locations
- Opens up land that would otherwise be unviable for residential use
For developers focused on small to medium schemes, Class Q remains one of the most reliable routes to consent.
Is It Class Q? How to check quickly
Determining whether a building qualifies for Class Q isn’t always straightforward. With multiple dates, thresholds and restrictions to consider, it’s easy to miss something critical.
That’s why we’ve created a simple Class Q checklist to help you:
- Screen sites faster
- Understand eligibility early
- Avoid wasted time and abortive costs
👉 Head to our Guides section to download the Class Q checklist.
How to find Class Q opportunities at scale
With Searchland, you can identify every agricultural building across the UK that could be suitable for a Class Q conversion. How many opportunities? Right now, our tool is surfacing more than 21,000 potnetial projects across England.
You can:
- Locate qualifying buildings instantly
- Understand ownership structure and decision-makers
- Access landowner names and correspondence addresses
- Send acquisition letters directly from the platform
- Layer planning constraints, access and context data to de-risk sites early
If you’re new to Class Q sourcing, we recommend booking a demo with our team to see how these tools work together.
TLDR:
Class Q permitted development provides a powerful route from agricultural to residential — particularly for sites that are remote, constrained or located within the Green Belt.
By allowing the reuse of existing buildings, it unlocks land that would otherwise struggle to achieve planning permission through traditional routes.
If you’re actively sourcing land in 2026 and beyond, Class Q should be firmly on your watchlist.
