Planning Rules
Agricultural Prior Approval: When You Need It and How to Apply (2025)
Agricultural Prior Approval is needed for certain farm buildings and changes of use under Part 6 and Part 3 of the GPDO. Here’s how the process works and what the council can consider.
⏱ 7 min read📅 Updated June 2025🏠 England only
Quick Answer
Agricultural Prior Approval covers both new farm buildings and changes of use
Agricultural Prior Approval is required in two main scenarios: (1) new farm buildings under Part 6 that exceed the automatic thresholds or are in sensitive locations; and (2) changes of use of agricultural buildings under Part 3 (Class Q residential conversion, Class R commercial conversion). In both cases, Prior Approval is not planning permission — the council can only consider specified matters. Determination periods are 28 days (Part 6 buildings) or 56 days (Part 3 changes of use). If the council fails to determine in time, Prior Approval is deemed granted.
When Agricultural Prior Approval Is Needed
Agricultural Prior Approval is required in two distinct planning contexts:
Part 6 — New agricultural buildings
Prior Approval is needed for farm buildings under Part 6 where:
- The building exceeds 465m² on a 5ha+ unit
- The building is for livestock or slurry storage within 400m of a protected building
- The building is 12m or more in height on a 5ha+ unit
- Any building on a 0.4ha–5ha unit (Class B — all operations require Prior Approval)
- Glasshouses over 465m² on a 5ha+ unit
Part 3 — Changes of use of agricultural buildings
Prior Approval is needed for changes of use under:
- Class Q — agricultural building to residential (dwellinghouse)
- Class R — agricultural building to flexible commercial use
Part 6 Prior Approval for Farm Buildings
For Part 6 Prior Approval applications (new farm buildings), the council must determine the application within 28 days of acknowledging it as valid. The council can only consider:
- The siting, design, and external appearance of the building
- The impact on transport on the local highway network
For Class B (smaller units), the council can also consider the impact of the development on the rural character of the area. The council cannot refuse on general planning policy grounds or visual impact in the wider countryside — the assessment is limited to the listed matters.
✅ 28-day deemed approval If the council fails to issue a decision on a Part 6 Prior Approval application within 28 days, Prior Approval is deemed to be granted. This fast determination period means most agricultural building Prior Approvals are resolved quickly.
Part 3 Prior Approval for Change of Use
For Part 3 Prior Approval applications (changes of use), the council has 56 days to determine the application. The matters the council can consider differ by class:
| Class |
What council can assess |
| Class Q (to residential) |
Transport, flooding, contamination, noise, design and external appearance, impact on amenity of the area |
| Class R (to commercial) |
Transport, noise, contamination, flooding |
For Class Q, the design assessment gives the council meaningful scope to require appropriate materials and proportions — more scope than under Part 6. For Class R, design is not a consideration, making Class R applications easier to achieve in practice.
The Application Process
The Prior Approval application process for agricultural development:
- Application form: Submit to the council using the relevant 1APP form (available on the Planning Portal)
- Documents: Location plan, site plan, drawings of the proposed building/works, any information relevant to the specified matters
- Fee: Part 6 Prior Approval — £80 per application. Part 3 Class Q — £96 per dwelling. Part 3 Class R — £96 per application
- Notification: The council notifies the applicant when the application is valid — the determination clock starts from this notification
- Decision: Council grants or refuses Prior Approval; or notifies that Prior Approval is not required (development can proceed)
Frequently Asked Questions
What can the council refuse in an agricultural Prior Approval application?
For Part 6 buildings, the council can only refuse on siting, design, external appearance, and (for Class B) rural character. It cannot refuse on general planning policy, development plan policies, or broader landscape considerations beyond those matters. For Part 3 Class Q, the council can also consider transport, flooding, contamination, and noise — and can require particular design treatments. A refusal must be based on one of the specified matters and can be appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.
Do I need to notify neighbours before submitting an agricultural Prior Approval?
For Part 6 building Prior Approvals, there is no statutory neighbour notification requirement — unlike planning applications. The council determines the application without consulting neighbours. For Part 3 Class Q (residential conversion), there is also no neighbour notification requirement. This is different from permitted development under Part 1 (larger home extensions), where neighbours are consulted. The absence of neighbour notification makes Part 6 and Part 3 Prior Approval processes faster and less contentious.
Can I appeal a refusal of agricultural Prior Approval?
Yes — a refusal of Prior Approval (under Part 6 or Part 3) can be appealed to the Planning Inspectorate in the same way as a planning application refusal. The appeal can be on the merits of the specified matters the council was entitled to consider, or (if the council determined that the development does not qualify for PD rights at all) on whether the development meets the PD conditions. Non-determination can also be appealed if the council fails to respond within the determination period.
What is the difference between Prior Approval and planning permission for agricultural buildings?
Prior Approval is a limited consent process — the council can only assess specified matters (siting, design, transport) and cannot refuse on general planning policy grounds. Planning permission is a full assessment against the development plan and all material considerations. Prior Approval is faster (28-day determination), cheaper, and more limited in what the council can consider. Planning permission gives more scope for the council to impose conditions and assess wider impacts, but also gives the applicant the ability to address those wider matters.
More on Permitted Development Rights
Extensions, loft conversions, outbuildings, solar panels — our complete guide covers everything you can build without planning permission.
Read the Complete PD Guide →
