# Washdyke Farm, Long Lane, Stathern

- **Decision:** dismissed, 17 September 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: R Snow
- **Authority:** Melton (East Midlands)
- **Appeal reference:** 6012411
- **Application reference:** 25/00803/GDOCOU
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** Class Q prior approval — open-sided portal-frame agricultural building to 7 dwellings
- **Homes:** 7
- **Site context:** open-countryside
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** No Framework version cited
- **Determinative policies:** GPDO Sch2 Pt3 Class Q.1(j)
- **Main issues:** whether permitted development
- **Tags:** tier-2, class-q, prior-approval, no-framework-reference

## Summary
Class Q prior approval for 7 dwellings from a largely open-sided portal-frame barn. Dismissed as a rebuild, not a conversion: 28 new walls and 7 roofs around parts of a retained frame (DL ¶10-11). The Framework is not mentioned because the Class Q scope question does not engage it.

## What made the difference
The extent of new fabric. Contrast PINS-6012154, where the principal stone walls were retained.

## Policy findings
- **GPDO Class Q Q.1(j): fail.** building stripped to part of frame; 28 new external walls and 7 roofs — rebuild not conversion (Hibbitt) (DL 6-12)

## Key facts
- Only concrete floor and parts of the steel portal frame retained (DL 6)

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6012411
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/12564b21-0fd5-4715-836c-98bc087bd7b7

---

Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6012411.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.