®Planning appeal decision
Dutch Barn at Manor Farm, Brookstones, Sydenham, Oxfordshire, OX39 4LZ
Planning appeal 3366845 at Dutch Barn at Manor Farm, Brookstones, Sydenham, Oxfordshire, OX39 4LZ (South Oxfordshire District Council) was allowed on 4 November 2025 by Inspector Brennan P, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed development would constitute permitted development under Class Q(a) and Q(b) of Schedule 2, Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, specifically whether the building operations are reasonably necessary to convert the building or would amount to a rebuild contrary to paragraph Q1(i)(i).
Conversion of a disused agricultural barn to one dwellinghouse (Class C3) with building operations reasonably necessary to convert, including replacement of roof and exterior walls, installation of windows and doors, and internal works including new floor slab and internal structural elements.
- Authority
- South Oxfordshire District Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Brennan P
- Postcode
- OX39 4LZ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed development would constitute permitted development under Class Q(a) and Q(b) of Schedule 2, Part 3 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, specifically whether the building operations are reasonably necessary to convert the building or would amount to a rebuild contrary to paragraph Q1(i)(i)
- If the proposal constitutes permitted development, whether prior approval would be required and should be granted in respect of contamination risks and other matters under Class Q2
What decided it
The structural report confirming the barn is structurally sound and suitable for conversion, combined with the previous grant of prior approval under Class Q and the retention of sufficient structure to constitute a conversion rather than a rebuild, satisfied the Inspector that the proposal qualifies as permitted development under Class Q.
What the Inspector cited
- Judgments
- Hibbitt and Another v SSCLG and Rushcliffe Borough Council [2016] EWHC 2853 (Admin)
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.