Change Of Use From An Agricultural Workers Dwelling To A Dwelling House. 

We were approached by a client to secure change of use for their property from an agricultural workers dwelling to a dwelling house. Squires Lodge Farmhouse was purpose built four-bedroom house, situated along a quite lane with countryside views.

How We Approached The Project

The property was originally granted permission in August 1989 as an agricultural workers dwelling. Due to being located within the open countryside an occupancy condition was attached to the approval which states:

‘The occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly employed, or least employed in the locality, in agriculture, as defined in Section 290(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971, or in forestry, including any dependants of such a person residing with him, (or a widow or widower of such person).’

This condition meant that only people who were employed in agriculture could reside in the property, causing issues for our client and his young family as he was gifted the house by his parents and did not comply with the occupancy condition.

To resolve this issue our client attempted to sell the property in hopes that someone else would be able to live in the property without being in breach of the Agricultural Occupancy Condition. Despite the numerous attempts to market the property for over a year, it has had little interest due to the occupational restriction and no viewings.

How We Achieved The Project

Our team made a successful application, which followed a previous planning refusal by another firm to remove the agricultural tie.

We were delighted to secure the change of use for our client, allowing them to live in their family home with no occupancy conditions.