Woodlands Burnt Oak Lane, Newdigate, DORKING, RH5 5BJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the buildings subject of the proposal are in use as agricultural buildings, or whether they were solely used for an agricultural use as part of an established agricultural unit on 20th March 2013
• whether the proposal would be permitted development under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class Q of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 as amended, having particular regard to whether the extent of the works proposed would consist of building operations that are reasonably necessary for the buildings to function as dwellinghouses

What decided it

The appellant failed to demonstrate that the buildings were in agricultural use as part of an established agricultural unit on the key date of 20 March 2013, and the extent of building works required would constitute substantial rebuilding beyond the scope of permitted development rights under Class Q.