# West Barn, Cobhay Farm, Bathealton

- **Decision:** allowed, 10 September 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: James Hills
- **Authority:** Somerset (South West)
- **Appeal reference:** 6007678
- **Application reference:** 03/24/0003/CQ
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** Class Q prior approval for conversion of agricultural building to a dwelling
- **Homes:** 1
- **Site context:** open-countryside
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** No Framework version cited
- **Determinative policies:** GPDO Sch2 Pt3 para W(11)
- **Main issues:** deemed prior approval
- **Tags:** tier-2, no-framework-reference, class-q, prior-approval, deemed-approval, procedural

## Summary
A Class Q barn conversion in Somerset. Allowed on procedure alone: the council missed the 56-day period by more than a year, so prior approval was deemed granted. The inspector stressed that nothing in the decision confirms the proposal is permitted development (DL ¶7). No Framework content.

## What made the difference
The council's missed deadline. The merits were never reached.

## Policy findings
- **GPDO Sch2 Pt3 para W(11) 56-day period: pass.** council decided 13 months after receipt; prior approval deemed granted; no finding on whether Class Q is otherwise met (2020 GPDO version under transitional arrangements) (DL 4-7)

## Key facts
- Application received 6 Nov 2024, decision 9 Dec 2025 (DL 5)
- Separate LDC appeal pending on the same proposal (DL 7)

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6007678
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/020edc01-b7c5-4650-bc5b-735fccf93027

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6007678.html

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