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Barn conversions

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

Here at CK Architectural, we’re specialists in designing barn conversions with our vast experience and specialist knowledge on local planning policies across Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham, Barnsley, and the rest of South Yorkshire too.

South Yorkshire is scattered with beautiful farmland, and that in turn means plenty of agricultural buildings and barns that can potentially be converted into living or retail space just waiting to be undertaken.

Although the buildings may seem disused and unloved, we can help you design a perfect modern living space in the heart of the countryside that will combine a traditional period twist with modern comforts.

We provide comprehensive advice before any commitment

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Designing a barn conversion

Designing a barn conversion needs some unique insight and requires some careful considerations to your project to make it reach its full potential. They are very uniquely shaped, typically having long and narrow structures that require acknowledgement

Some key areas to note are:

  • Although through rooms may be necessary, high apex roofs can create wonderful open mezzanines and galleries
  • You need utilities, access, services and to adhere to all the building regulations as you would a new build
  • 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 need to be in keeping, no white uPVC 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

In recent years there has been a focus on unlocking more of the disused farm buildings, but the process is not straightforward.

Often you can gain permission via the permitted development route which means that planning permission is not always required.

If permitted development is not applicable for your project, then the team at CK Architectural can give you the best advice and help determine the likelihood of success.

For example, we are able to adhere to The Barn Conversion clause which comes about as part of a new Class – MB – into Part 3 of the Second Schedule of the General Permitted Development Order.

This new class authorises change of use of a building, and any land within its curtilage from use as an agricultural building to a use falling within Class C3 – dwellings. It also authorises building operations ‘reasonably’ necessary to convert the building to residential use.

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.

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

Once permission is in place, it is then time to produce buildings regulation and construction drawings.

Often barns are poorly built and adding more weight may be difficult, but using the existing external walls and finish will probably form part of the planning condition.

We can design for water proofing and insulation so that the desired outcome isn’t affected.

Service and drainage are also a challenge. Where this is unavailable, we will advise on all the options open to you.

In actual fact if you do choose to carry out a barn conversion, you will actually need to adhere to the same rules as most new build properties, in which:

SAP calculations, this will design the energy efficiency of the home, and give requirements 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.

Part B – Fire Safety

Part C – Site preparation and resistance to contaminates and moisture

Part D – Toxic Substances

Part E – Resistance to the passage of sound

Part F – Ventilation

Part G – Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency

Part H – Drainage and Waste Disposal

Part J – Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems

Part K – Protection from falling, collision and impact

Part L – Conservation of fuel and power

Part M – Access to and use of buildings

Part N – Glazing Safety (Withdrawn)

Part P – Electrical Safety

Part Q – Security

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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