Clarkson’s Clause – Class R Development

What is Class R?

Part of the broader Permitted Development Rights (PDR) framework, Class R enables landowners, developers, and investors to repurpose agricultural buildings for commercial use.

And just like its more widely publicised counterpart, Class Q (check out our previous blog for a full rundown on Class Q), Class R provides an easier route to repurposing and monetising disused agricultural buildings, bypassing the often complicated and time-consuming process of securing full planning permission.

Although it may not be as well-known as Class Q, Class R found itself thrust into the spotlight recently because of a high-profile dispute involving TV personality Jeremy Clarkson and his farm, Diddly Squat.

If you watched the series Clarkson’s Farm, you may remember the dramatic showdown between Jeremy and West Oxfordshire District Council. This eventually led to the farm’s barn conversion restaurant being shut down after a rejected planning application. Viewed by many as a catalyst for some amendments to Class R subsequently made on 21^st May 2024, this was also the reason behind the moniker Clarkson’s Clause.

Recent Changes

Since the Class R regulations were updated in May 2024, developers have even more flexibility when converting agricultural buildings into commercial spaces. The following uses are now permitted:

• Flexible commercial use under Class E, including shops, offices, cafes and gyms
• Hotels (Class C1)
• Storage or distribution (Class B8)
• General industrial use (Class B2)
• Outdoor sport and recreation facilities (Class F2c)
• Agricultural training facilities       

Key Points of Class R

As with all development projects, Class R has some important conditions you will need to meet:

1. Agricultural Use: The building must have been used solely for agricultural purposes for at least ten years.
2. Size limits: The cumulative floor area of the building or buildings must not exceed 1000 sqm.
3. Exclusions: The building cannot be a listed building, scheduled monument, safety hazard, or explosives storage area.
4. Location Flexibility: While it cannot be in the previously mentioned restricted zones, the building can be located within areas like National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), or Conservation Areas.
5. Building Status: The building doesn’t need to be redundant – it just needs to have met the agricultural use requirement.

Next Steps

If you’re a landowner with disused agricultural buildings, Class R presents an exciting opportunity to maximise your property’s potential. Whether you’re thinking about opening a farm café, setting up a local shop, or creating office space, Class R streamlines the process and offers an alternative to traditional planning routes.

With the latest updates in place, the possibilities for rural commercial development have never been more accessible. However, as always, we would advise seeking professional advice from a planning consultant before proceeding with any application.

Is this a course of action that you are considering? If so, we would love to help you every step of the way. With our extensive experience in bringing disused and dilapidated buildings back to life, we are confident we could help you, too!

You can contact us via our Contact Form, call us on 01905 820080 or email us at info@2countiesconstruction.co.uk