Class R Prior Approval Secured from Maldon for the Change of Use to Class B8 Storage
Class R prior approval from Maldon District Council for the change of use of a redundant agricultural barn near Maldon, Essex to Class B8 storage, providing a streamlined commercial conversion route without a full planning application.
PRIOR APPROVAL SUCCESSESMALDONESSEX
Andrew Ransome
7/25/20262 min read
In 2025, Maldon District Council granted prior approval under Class R of the General Permitted Development Order for the change of use of a redundant agricultural barn near Maldon, Essex to Class B8 storage and distribution.
The Class R route provided a streamlined commercial conversion pathway, bypassing the need for a full planning application and the rural economic development policy scrutiny that would apply to a conventional submission.
Class R Change of Use in Maldon
I secured prior approval from Maldon District Council under Class R of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 for the change of use of an agricultural barn to Class B8 storage and distribution use.
Class R allows certain changes of use from agriculture to a range of flexible commercial uses without a full planning application, subject to specific eligibility criteria and, a prior approval assessment.
Permitted Class R uses include Class B2 (general industrial), Class B8 (storage), Class C1 (hotels), Class E (commercial) and Class F.2(c) (outdoor sport or recreation).
The prior approval assessment for Class R is significantly narrower in scope than a full planning application.
The local planning authority can only consider specified matters: the transport and highways impacts; the noise impacts; and the flooding risks. It cannot consider the general principle of commercial development in the countryside or the loss of agricultural land — the key policy objections that would apply to a conventional application.
This makes Class R a powerful tool for unlocking the commercial potential of redundant agricultural buildings.
I prepared and submitted a comprehensive prior approval application demonstrating that the proposed B8 use raised no material transport, noise or flood risk concerns.
Maldon District Council was satisfied and granted prior approval, enabling a redundant barn to be brought back into productive commercial use.
Planning Application Advice
If you own redundant agricultural buildings and want to explore their commercial development potential through Class R, I can assess eligibility and manage the prior approval application. Contact me to discuss.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
Prior Approval Successes
Permitted Development Information
Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
© 2026. All rights reserved.