# Barn at land off Bakers Lane, Holt, Dorset

- **Decision:** dismissed, 27 August 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: K Dryden
- **Authority:** Dorset (South West)
- **Appeal reference:** 6009850
- **Application reference:** P/PAAC/2025/06052
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** Class Q prior approval — barn to dwelling with extension (2024 GPDO amendments)
- **Homes:** 1
- **Site context:** open-countryside, rural-lane
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** No Framework version cited
- **Determinative policies:** GPDO Class Q.1(i)(ii), GPDO Class Q.1(i)(vi)
- **Main issues:** Class Q extension limitations
- **Tags:** tier-2, prior-approval, class-q, principal-elevation, framework-not-applicable

## Summary
A Class Q barn conversion with an extension was refused prior approval. The existing barn's principal elevation is the west side facing the yard, where its openings are, not the blank, screened side facing the lane. The extension was therefore not "to the rear" and breached Q.1(i)(ii) and (vi) (DL ¶¶10–13). Class Q does not require regard to the Framework (DL ¶16).

## What made the difference
The principal elevation was judged functionally, from the openings and loading area, rather than by the highway-facing rule of thumb in householder technical guidance (DL ¶¶10–12).

## Policy findings
- **GPDO Class Q.1(i)(ii): fail.** principal elevation of existing barn is west (openings to yard), so extension on east lane side is not to the rear (DL 10-13)
- **GPDO Class Q.1(i)(vi): fail.** extends beyond a principal elevation wall (DL 13)

## Key facts
- Extant Class Q approval P/PAAC/2024/07631 without extension
- East elevation faces Bakers Lane but blank and screened
- Dorset Heaths SAC — Reg 77 separate

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/90512710-770e-4b5c-8556-f08f5726bc9f
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6009850

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6009850.html

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