Farms are covered by the same planning regulations as other types of property. Some planning rules include special conditions for agricultural buildings and land.

You need planning permission if:

• you want to change how you use your land or buildings from farming to something else
• you want to build a house on the land

You will also usually need planning permission if you are applying for a grant to fund a project that needs a building or other development.

You don't need planning permission:

• for farming operations
• to use buildings already on your land for farming purposes
• to change the inside of a building, or make small alterations to the outside - eg installing an alarm box
• if there are permitted development rights

Before starting work on the project, always check with:

• your local planning authority in England and Wales
• your local planning authority in Scotland
• you local area planning office in Northern Ireland

If you don't get planning permission when you need it you may have to stop work on the development or demolish it.

In England and Wales, you can apply online at the Planning Portal.

In Scotland you can apply online at ePlanning Scotland.

In Northern Ireland, you apply for planning permission to your local area planning office.

Permitted development means that if your farm is 5 hectares or more, you have the right to:

• erect, extend or alter a building
• carry out excavations and engineering operations needed for agricultural purposes - though you may still require approval for certain details of the development.

The types of permitted development include:

• temporary uses of land
• agricultural buildings below a certain size
• forestry buildings
• caravan sites and related buildings in some circumstances

Check with your local planning authority (or local area planning office in Northern Ireland) before making use of permitted development rights to make sure your development won’t need planning permission.

The Agricultural Document Library (ADLib) has policy planning guidance on permitted development and farms.

Download 'Permitted development rights for agriculture and forestry' (PDF, 46KB)

The way you appeal and the deadlines for appealing are different depending on which country you’re in. See the relevant planning guide for more information:

• England and Wales
• Scotland