Barn Conversions
Following the relax in planning laws in the UK, barn conversions in Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud and across Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds are extremely popular as both residences and as businesses alike. Gloucestershire is absolutely full of farmland, and plenty of unused agricultural buildings and barns ready and waiting for conversion.
CK Architectural have a vast depth of award-winning experience in the finer points of converting barns through great design and knowledge on the relevant planning policies. These disused and unloved building can be designed into excellent modern living space in the heart of the open countryside. You can enjoy all the modern comforts of new builds with a traditional period twist. Typically, you will need to work with the existing structure and where possible a rusty old barn becomes a bespoke aluminium sliding door arrangement. You can enjoy warmth and comfort with beautiful views out across courtyards, fields, woods and hills.
Contact us today to speak with a member of our team who will give you all of the advice and quotation you need to move forward with your barn.
Designing a barn conversion
When it comes to the design of a barn conversion in Gloucestershire or anywhere else for that matter, there are a number of things to conder to create the perfect finish. Whether it’s a contemporary masterpiece or a traditional, country feel barn, we have the expertise to make your dream a reality.
Barns are almost always long and narrow in their structure, which means designing the best conversion needs some careful thought.
Creating through rooms is not always avoidable, but with the height that barn conversions often have to offer, large open spaces, galleries and mezzanines are all available to your design.
Barn conversions are still subject to typical building regulations, meaning you’re still required to have access to necessary utilities, access, services and all other areas too.
Insulation is usually within the building fabric, and any windows and doors also ideally need to be considered too.
From basic design to full project management, you can tailor your service to you
Gaining planning permission
The barn conversion process subject to a standard planning permission is not typically an easy thing to have carried out, but thanks to recent changes in legislation, it’s now easier than ever. Previously, because of the nature and location of barns, planning permission has been difficult to get because of the impact on the scenery and the land alike.
Thanks to the Barn Conversion Clause in the General Permitted Development Order, this has all changed. The change of use of a building and the land within its curtilage is authorised as a dwelling, as well as authorising reasonably necessary building operations such as conversions under the new Permitted Development Order.
As a result, no planning permission is required due to your rights as a property owner, providing that your barn meets a few conditions that you can see below.
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.
Planning to building regulations
Once you have your permission in place, it’s time to produce the detailed construction and building regulations drawings. Building regulations are essential for any project, as they ensure your build is legal and meets any requirements while maintaining safety and quality at all times.
This is even more important when it comes to barn conversions since the build quality is often sub-par. Barns can often be poorly built, meaning that adding more weight can be difficult and using the external walls and finish will form a planning condition. We’ll account for all of this and more of course, but it’s always something to consider in the design process.
Service and drainage are the next challenges, as septic tanks and oil boilers are a requirement when mains sewers, gas and electricity are not available. We will take you through all the options available and consider the limitation through the design phase.
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.
Our testimonials
CK Architectural Hull
Out of 5 stars
Overall rating out of 29 Google reviews
This is the second project I have used CK Architects on and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again or to recommend them to others. Karen is highly professional, friendly, and quick, listened to our requirements and acted on everything so beautifully. We are very impressed with the fast, efficient service provided by CK Architectural Design staff members.
Exactly what I wanted. No sales rubbish, no broken promises. They did exactly what I asked for, right first time, for the exact price quoted. I'd definitely use the company again.
Excellent service and communication. The company correctly and quickly identified my requirements, and worked accurately and within (very reasonable) quotation. Any queries and additional dimensions or details which the design engineer had, were clearly requested, allowing me to be able to quickly furnish the exact information and measurements, and negating the need for site visits, thus keeping costs in check. The first draft of the engineering drawings were very impressive - as a project engineer involved in the materials handling industry, I am well used to working with and interpreting CAD drawings, so was able to appreciate the high level of detail and clarity therein. I have been pleased and impressed with the service provided and care taken by CK Architectural, in bringing this part of my project to a successful conclusion - the Local Authority Building Control department accepted the drawings and specifications at first draft, without any amendments or changes. I am happy to recommend this company to anyone seeking a friendly, helpful, skilled and professional service.
CK Architectural led us through our whole project of two significant extensions from start to finish. At the outset during concept the input was both practical and creative. Several of our own ideas were improved upon and other ideas added. The creation of the designs was collaborative with CKA listening to our needs and wishes and incorporating them as practically possible. The budget was agreed with CKA and they kept a tight lid on the finances. The initial plan was actually built within budget, and we just crept over due to a couple of unforeseen changes, such as the roof tiles to match current being discontinued and therefore we chose to have a new roof. CKA made frequent visits to site and it always felt as if they had the project under control. It is not until you embark upon a venture such as this, as a novice, that you realise how complex it all is. However, with CKA leading the way on drawing completion, obtaining planning permission, appointing reputable contractors and managing Building Control eveything felt smooth and was stress free for us as the client. For the service we received we thought CKS priced their involvement very fairly.
CK Architectural where very thorough, professional and prompt when drawing up our plans, providing options and guidance when choosing & deciding what would work best with the space created. Any additional questions/queries where also answered straight away and always provided useful information. Very pleased with the service received and have recommended to friends and family.
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, ValueI use CK Architectural being a builder and have for a number of years now, with absolutely nothing but professionalism and great feedback from the team.All that and good value for your money.Personally I wouldn't go anywhere else.
Positive: ProfessionalismChris gave a brilliant service for our loft conversion design, including all planning details for the local authority, and completion of working drawings. the service was without question excellent, especially since this was all through a pandemic. Thankyou
Fantastic service from the start, building work to start next week but couldn’t be happier with the designs and professionalism from the company.Will be recommending to all.
Great service - innovative thinking and timely responses. Can’t wait for the next project they can help me with! Would not hesitate to recommend.
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
I have used CK Architectural for numerous project over the past few years and find them to be attentive, conscientious and very reliable. And most of all they offer excellent value for money.
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.
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, ValueHighly 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.
We have use the team at CK Architectural on 2 projects of ours over the years. They have never let us down. They have always worked with us to produce the designs we wanted and handled everything for us through the Planning and Building Control stage, keeping us updated at the carious stages. We will most certainly use again if we decide to do another project.
Proffesional, helpful & a great price. Produced hard copies & electronic of everything we needed. What more could you ask for .
Chris’ attention to detail and professionalism was second to none. I would highly recommend him and his Company.
Brilliant company, great service from start to finish, cant recommend highly enough.
