Planning Permission for "agricultural dwelling"

beefster

I have inherited a small bungalow that i am considering developing for my own use. It was a condition of its original build in 1975 that it was for the inhabitance of workers on the farm/small holding (of which all the land except 5 acres has been sold off) which it stands on.
Has anyone any experience of developing such a building. It is also in a green belt area to further complicate matters!!

BobProperty

Condition of what? Planning? Lease? Either might be able to be changed, but I think it unlikely. These sort of conditions are usually kept an eye on, and any variation will be jumped on, IMHO.

martindow

I assume this is an agricultural tie. Quite a lot of new buildings on farms are only granted planning permission on condition that the person living there is employed full time in agriculture. The farmer has to justify the need for a new building to house a vital worker. This is to stop farmers growing too many of their favourite and most lucrative crop - bungalows. You will find that the resale price of such buildings is about 20% lower than the usual market value. I'm not sure what planners can do if you do buy such a place and are not a farm worker. I assume that they ultimately have powers to force you to resell it. There could be problems if someone complains or if you are buying with a mortgage. You would presumably have to sign papers agreeing to the agricultural tie conditions as you buy it. They are often very tempting properties in rural areas because of their price. Apparently it is possible (but difficult) to get the tie removed. Here's a link relating to this
http://www.sblaw.co.uk/agriculturaloccupancy.asp

beetrootjuicer

It is possible to get an agricultural tie lifted; for example if you can prove it's no longer possible to make a living from the land agriculturally. You'd think that wouldn't be hard these days given the state of the farming industry but it can be very difficult, costly and longwinded. National Farmers Union (NFU) ought to be able to advise you.

EDIT: Sorry, Martindow, posts crossed and have repeated what you said.