Rural development - misuse of permitted development rights

United Kingdom

There has been growing concern about the misuse of permitted development rights in order to erect buildings in the countryside, ostensibly for agricultural purposes but actually to circumvent strict controls upon countryside development.


To meet this concern an amendment has been made to the General Permitted Development Order. As from 1st April 1997, if the agricultural use of certain agricultural buildings erected under permitted development rights permanently ceases within 10 years of the building being completed then it must be removed if no planning permission for an alternative use has been granted or deemed to be granted within 3 years of that cessation. The amendment does not apply retrospectively.