# Brookfields Farm, Longhill Lane, Hankelow

- **Decision:** allowed, 22 September 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: Ann Veevers
- **Authority:** Cheshire East (North West)
- **Appeal reference:** 6007422
- **Application reference:** 25/3355/PRIOR-3Q
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** Class Q prior approval, agricultural barn to two dwellings (linked appeal 6007456)
- **Homes:** 2
- **Site context:** open-countryside, rural-lane
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** August 2026 NPPF
- **Determinative policies:** P3, P4
- **Main issues:** scope of Class Q works, highways/PROW, location and siting
- **Tags:** tier-2, class-q, prior-approval, agent-of-change, bng-habitat-bank

## Summary
Class Q conversion of a steel-framed barn to two dwellings was granted. The works were reasonably necessary, and highway, PROW and siting objections failed. P3 applied through GPDO paragraph W(10)(b) and the P4 agent-of-change principle were both considered, but the discrete siting away from farm activity was decisive. There were "no substantive changes" in the 2026 Framework on these matters (DL ¶3).

## What made the difference
The retained structure and cladding, and separation from the livestock buildings. "it would be unreasonable to preclude development in every location where street lighting and footways are absent" given that Class Q anticipates rural homes (DL ¶28).

## Policy findings
- **P3: pass.** via GPDO W(10)(b); separation from farm buildings and intervening dwellings avoids unacceptable disturbance/odour even if farming intensifies (DL 41-48)
- **P4: pass.** agent-of-change tension noted but siting discrete (DL 46-47)
- **TR4: pass.** GPDO Q.2(1)(a): unlit track/PROW with no footway not fatal for Class Q; parking outside curtilage acceptable (DL 25-37)

## Key facts
- Internal party-wall strip footing (6.5 m) still "reasonably necessary" under Q.1(j)
- Surrounding land in a registered BNG habitat bank for 30 years

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/1de4f3f1-83dc-4663-8eff-b8ad20e431e9
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6007422

---

Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6007422.html

A summary of a public planning decision, written from the decision letter. Not legal advice. © Planning Distilled. Released under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/): share and adapt freely, with credit to Planning Distilled. Quotations from decision letters, plans and the Framework remain the copyright of their publishers.