The Government has unveiled plans to switch up planning rules so that more options are available when converting agricultural buildings into family homes.

Currently, several hundred new homes are created through the conversions of agricultural buildings each year.

However, under changes announced by Housing Minister Dominic Raab, alterations to permitted development rights will allow up to five new homes to be created from existing agricultural buildings on a farm, rather than the maximum of three currently permitted.

The changes will help communities make the best use of existing buildings to help meet local housing needs more efficiently, while at the same time ensuring they remain in keeping with the character of the area and safeguard people's privacy. In addition, farmers will be able to adopt the latest innovations in modern farming practices by increasing the size limit of new agricultural buildings on larger farms from 465 square metres to 1,000 square metres.

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Overall, the amended development right for the change of use of agricultural buildings to provide up to five new homes will allow for;

• up to three larger homes within a maximum of 465 square metres or

• up to five smaller homes each no larger than 100 square metres or

• a mix of both, within a total of no more than five homes, of which no more than three may be larger homes.

Applicants will also have a year in which to benefit from the temporary permitted development right for the change of use of buildings used for storage and distribution to residential use. The right will be extended by a year until 10 June 2019.

Housing Minister Dominic Raab said: "We need to be more creative if we are to meet the housing needs of rural communities.

"That's why I'm changing planning rules so rural communities have more flexibility on how best to use existing buildings to deliver more much needed homes for families.

"This is part of our comprehensive reform programme to build the homes Britain needs."

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