A NORTH-East property firm has given its backing to new legislation that allows disused agricultural buildings to be turned into residential homes.

The Government scheme, which came into effect on April 6, allows landowners to convert barns and other farm buildings into housing if they fit a series of criteria under permitted development rights.

Smiths Gore, a property and surveying firm based in Darlington, said the reuse of agricultural buildings will help to meet the need for housing in the North-East, particularly in rural areas of the region.

Landowners must still gain council approval under the new system, which is similar to planning approval but with an assurance that councils will not be able to reject the principle of conversion.

A maximum of three residential properties will be allowed under the relaxed rules before traditional planning approval is required.

Jennifer Hadland, planning consultant for Smiths Gore, said: “Change of use to residential will provide a greater housing choice in the area, helping address the current housing shortfall, especially in the rural districts.

“Gaining planning permission to convert an agricultural building to a dwelling can be a long and tedious task.

“Some councils even profess to say that they would rather see traditional agricultural buildings fall into a state of disrepair before allowing consent for conversion to alternative use.

“This new permitted development right will help remove this hurdle, providing landowners with a greater opportunity to utilise their assets in a modern, suitable and viable manner.”