GUIDE TO AGRICULTURAL PLANNING & PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT IN SCOTLAND

Erecting a new agricultural building—whether it's a general purpose farm shed, a secure machinery store, or a hay storage barn—is one of the most substantial capital investments a Scottish landowner can make. Understanding the regulatory landscape surrounding planning permissions and building warrants in Scotland is critical to avoiding project delays, fines, or demolition notices.

Class 6 Permitted Development Rights (PDR)

In Scotland, agricultural buildings on holdings of **0.4 hectares (approx. 1 acre) or more** frequently qualify for **Permitted Development Rights (PDR)** under Class 6 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order. This means that a full planning application is not required. However, the build must adhere strictly to the following parameters:

• • **Area Limit:** The ground area of the proposed building must not exceed 465 square meters (5,000 sq ft).
• • **Height Limit:** The maximum height of the building cannot exceed 12 meters.
• • **Road Boundary:** The building must not be within 25 meters of a metalled public road.
• • **Holdings Split:** Multiple PDR developments within a 90m radius on the same holding are aggregated.

The Crucial Prior Notification Process

A common misconception is that "Permitted Development" means you can simply begin digging groundworks immediately. **This is not the case.** Before starting any site work or steel fabrication, you must submit a **Prior Notification** form to your local planning authority (such as Midlothian, East Lothian, or Scottish Borders Council).

The council has **28 days** from receipt of your application to decide whether prior approval of the design, location, or materials is required. If they do not respond within 28 days, or if they confirm prior approval is not required, you are legally clear to proceed with the build.

Building Control & Structural Calculations

Regardless of whether your project requires planning permission or falls under PDR, you must comply with Scottish Building Standards. For agricultural structures, this involves securing a **Building Warrant** prior to erection.

A key element of your Building Warrant application is proving structural safety. FF Steel provides postcode-specific BS EN 1991 wind and snow load structural calculations (often certified by an SER structural engineer) ensuring your portal frame is designed safely for local hill altitudes and exposures.