England’s national parks would be “destroyed” by proposed government rules that would allow landowners to convert barns into houses without planning permission, critics have said.
The levelling up department has launched a consultation into new legislation that would change permitted development rights to allow farmers to turn agricultural buildings into homes.
The consultation proposes to loosen the planning systems on national parks and other conservation areas to bring prosperity to towns and villages within them. It states: “Allowing our town and village centres within protected landscapes (such as national parks) to benefit from the right could help ensure the longer-term viability and vitality of these community hubs, supporting the residents and businesses that rely on them.”
It specifically cites the aim to give farmers the ability to change their agricultural buildings into houses: “We want to give farmers greater freedom to change the use of their existing buildings to residential use and support the delivery of new homes in rural communities.”
However, national park chiefs have said the proposals are “bonkers” and could cause thousands of new developments to mar the views in some of England’s most beautiful areas.
David Butterworth, the CEO of the Yorkshire Dales national park, told the Guardian: “If I was trying to devise a policy that would essentially lead to the destruction of Yorkshire Dales national park, this would be the policy. These are permitted development rights to convert a property without any planning restriction. This means the 6,500 field barns in the Yorkshire Dales could be converted into homes. The idea they could be homes with no restrictions would decimate the landscapes.
“It is one of the most bonkers examples of environmental destruction I could think of. I am extremely concerned that this has been introduced now with an eight-week consultation. It is just crackers.”
Kevin Bishop, the CEO of Dartmoor national park authority, added: “National parks were designated for their outstanding natural beauty. The proposed extension of permitted developments could destroy these landscapes and cause untold harm to the local economy and local communities. The ability to convert any equestrian field shelter or agricultural barn to an open market house would cause untold damage to our landscapes and yet do nothing to support the provision of affordable housing.”
Politicians have also vowed to oppose the proposed legislation. The Liberal Democrats’ environment spokesperson, Tim Farron, said: “The government needs to stop this now. Our national parks cannot become a developer free-for-all. Sadly we have a Conservative government which is bankrolled by developers, who don’t give a damn about the environment, let alone national park areas.
“As an MP representing both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, I will fight this tooth and nail. We simply cannot trust this government with our precious environment.”
Environment charities are also likely to challenge the idea. Paul Miner, the head of policy and planning at CPRE, the countryside charity, said: “These proposals, if enacted, would irrevocably damage our most treasured and protected landscapes. And no matter how serious the damage, there would be nothing anybody could do to stop it. The government cannot be serious.
“The countryside does not need more millionaires living in plush barn conversions. It needs affordable and social housing. These nonsensical changes to planning policy would entrench division and disempower local people. They would allow farm buildings to be converted with no scope to insist on affordable housing or any other measures that might alleviate the housing crisis.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “This consultation remains open and we will consider all responses, including that from National Parks UK, before coming to a decision. We have been clear that any developments must be beautiful and enhance the environment.”
