# Class Q Checker

> Check Class Q permitted development for barn conversion in England: 10 homes, 150 sq m each, 1,000 sq m total, and the 24 July 2023 agricultural use test.

## Key facts

- Under the current Class Q, a single dwellinghouse created from an agricultural building in England must not exceed 150 square metres of floor space, and no more than 10 homes totalling 1,000 square metres may be created within one established agricultural unit.
- Class Q is blocked entirely where the building is listed, is or contains a scheduled monument, or the site is on article 2(3) land, which includes National Parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, conservation areas, the Broads and World Heritage Sites.
- Class Q development may begin if the local planning authority has not notified the applicant whether prior approval is given or refused within 56 days of receiving the application, and must be completed within 3 years of the prior approval date.

## Key pages

- [Can you do a Class Q barn conversion?](https://classqchecker.co.uk/): the main tool, answer above the fold.
- [What changed for Class Q on 21 May 2024](https://classqchecker.co.uk/class-q-rules-2024/): Class Q was substituted on 21 May 2024: 10 homes instead of 5, 150 sq m each instead of two size classes, a new date test and a permitted rear extension.
- [Class Q application and prior approval: seven matters, 56 days](https://classqchecker.co.uk/class-q-prior-approval/): Class Q is conditional on applying to the council for prior approval. What you must submit, what the council can assess, and when you can lawfully start.
- [Class Q size limits: 150 sq m per home, 10 homes, 1,000 sq m](https://classqchecker.co.uk/class-q-size-limits/): How the Class Q floor space limits work, how previous conversions on the same unit count, and exactly what the permitted rear extension may and may not do.
- [Class Q refused or ruled out: what your options actually are](https://classqchecker.co.uk/class-q-refused/): Appeal, resubmit or apply for full planning permission. What each route is for when a Class Q barn conversion is refused or blocked by a condition.
- [Class Q conditions and limits, current text](https://classqchecker.co.uk/#data): original data table, updated 2026-08-14.
- [Full site content as markdown](https://classqchecker.co.uk/llms-full.txt)

## Data

- Class Q conditions and limits, current text. Methodology: Taken from the current consolidated text of Class Q of Part 3 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 on legislation.gov.uk, checked on the updated date above. Class Q was substituted with effect from 21 May 2024 by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2024, S.I. 2024/579, article 3. Paragraph references are to Class Q itself and to paragraph W of Part 3, which governs the prior approval procedure. No planning application fee is quoted here because fees are set by separate regulations and change: confirm the current figure with your local planning authority.
- Last updated: 2026-08-14. Every figure cites its source inline.
- Source: Class Q, GPDO 2015 Schedule 2 Part 3, current text: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/part/3/crossheading/class-q-agricultural-buildings-to-dwellinghouses
- Source: GPDO 2015 Schedule 2 Part 3, including paragraph W (prior approval): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/part/3
- Source: GPDO 2015 Schedule 1, article 2(3) land: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/1
- Source: Amendment Order 2024, S.I. 2024/579, which substituted Class Q: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/579/made
- Source: gov.uk, technical housing standards: nationally described space standard: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/technical-housing-standards-nationally-described-space-standard
- Source: gov.uk, when is permission required: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-is-permission-required
- Source: gov.uk, find your local council: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

## Citation

Cite as: "Class Q conditions and limits, current text", Class Q Checker, https://classqchecker.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-14).

## About

- Class Q Checker is an information site. It is not affiliated with any local planning authority, the Planning Inspectorate or any government department, and nothing here is planning or legal advice. It covers England only, and it cannot see your site: designations, use history and structural condition all have to be confirmed locally before you rely on a Class Q route.
- Operated by classqchecker.co.uk. Contact: enquiries@classqchecker.co.uk