Barn Conversions
Transform agricultural buildings into stunning contemporary homes
Barn Conversions Cornwall
Granite barns on Bodmin Moor. Stone shippons in the Tamar Valley. Cornwall holds hundreds of agricultural buildings that deserve a second life as family homes. We convert them — honouring the original stonework whilst fitting them for modern living.
Our team knows these buildings inside out: how the walls were laid, why the roof trusses work the way they do, what the planners expect to see. That knowledge shapes every conversion we take on.
Already own a barn with permission? Still weighing up a purchase? Either way, we can walk you through what's involved — and what it takes to turn stone and timber into a home you'll want to live in.
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Our Barn Conversion Services
Traditional Stone Barns
Cornish granite and killas stone buildings — thick walls, high ceilings, bags of character. We preserve what matters and add what's missing.
Farm Building Conversions
Shippons, linhays, cart sheds — each has its quirks. Lower ceilings, open fronts, awkward layouts. We work with what's there.
Planning & Feasibility
Class Q or full planning? Prior approval or change of use? We assess your building and tell you the quickest route to approval.
Structural Works
New floors, fresh openings, roof strengthening — barns need serious structural work. We handle the steel, the timber, the calculations.
Services Installation
Heating, plumbing, electrics — often starting from nothing. We bring barns up to full residential spec.
Interior Fit-Out
Kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, joinery. Everything fitted to a standard that matches the building's character.
Planning Know-How
Class Q lets you convert agricultural buildings to homes without full planning permission — just prior approval from Cornwall Council. Quicker, simpler, cheaper. We check if your building qualifies and handle the paperwork.
Some barns need full planning — maybe the building doesn't qualify, or you want more freedom with the design. We prepare those applications too, working with architects who know what Cornwall planners look for.
What We Bring
- ✓Years spent converting Cornish barns — we know the pitfalls
- ✓Proper understanding of lime mortar, stone, and old timber
- ✓Good working relationships with Cornwall Council planners
- ✓One team from first survey to final snag list
- ✓Designs that keep the character intact
- ✓Buildings that meet current regs and actually stay warm
Types of Agricultural Buildings We Convert
Traditional Stone Barns
Granite, slate, killas — Cornwall's stone barns were built to last. Two-foot walls keep the heat in winter and the cool in summer. Most date from the 1700s and 1800s, back when farmers needed serious buildings for serious harvests.
Threshing barns give you height — proper double-height living spaces with exposed trusses overhead. We add mezzanine floors and glazed screens without losing what made the building worth converting in the first place.
Shippons & Linhays
Shippons housed cattle. Linhays had open fronts for storing hay and carts. Both sit lower than threshing barns — often single-storey conversions work best, or you combine two buildings into one larger home.
Those open linhay fronts? Fill them with glass. You flood the interior with light while keeping the agricultural silhouette the planners want to see from the road.
Cart Sheds & Stables
Cart sheds, stables, granaries — smaller buildings suit smaller projects. Annexes for elderly parents. Holiday lets that pay for themselves. Home offices away from the main house. Compact footprints mean simpler planning.
We've turned stable blocks across Cornwall into guest accommodation and rental income. You keep the farmyard intact; the buildings start earning their keep again.
Modern Agricultural Buildings
Steel-framed sheds from the 1970s onwards? They convert too, under the same Class Q rules. Less romantic than a granite barn, but cheaper to convert and easier to insulate.
If you've got both old and new buildings on your land, we'll tell you which offers the better project. Sometimes the ugly shed makes more sense than the pretty barn.
The Barn Conversion Process in Cornwall
Feasibility Assessment
We look at the structure, dig into the planning history, work out what's possible. Class Q or full planning? We'll tell you straight.
Planning & Design
We draw up plans that planners will approve and you'll actually want to live in. Prior approval submissions or full applications — whatever the building needs.
Structural Works
Barns need proper structural work — new floors, strengthened roofs, walls opened up for windows. Our engineers calculate the loads; our team makes it happen.
Fit-Out & Finishing
Electrics, plumbing, heating, plastering, decoration — we finish what we start. You get keys to a home, not a building site.
How We Work
No two barns convert the same way. The building dictates the design; your requirements shape the details. We spend time understanding both before we pick up a tool.
Traditional skills matter here. Lime mortar, not cement. Working with the stonework, not against it. But we also know current building regs and energy standards inside out — your conversion will be warm, dry, and signed off properly.
One point of contact from start to finish. You'll know what's happening, when it's happening, and what comes next. No chasing, no wondering, no nasty surprises.
Problems We Solve
- Low ceilings: Dig out the floor or raise the roof — planning dependent
- Damp walls: Proper drainage, lime render, breathable insulation
- No mains services: Boreholes, septic tanks, solar — rural barns need rural solutions
- Bats in the roof: Ecology surveys first, then mitigation that keeps everyone happy
- Difficult planners: Designs that give you what you want while ticking their boxes
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need planning permission for a barn conversion?▼
Many barn conversions can proceed under Class Q Permitted Development rights with Prior Approval from the local council. This is quicker than full planning permission. However, not all barns qualify, and some may require full planning. We assess your specific barn and advise on the best route.
How much does a barn conversion cost in Cornwall?▼
Barn conversions in Cornwall typically cost £1,200-£1,800 per square metre. A 200 square metre barn conversion usually costs £250,000-£350,000. Costs vary based on the condition of the existing structure and specification level.
How long does a barn conversion take?▼
A barn conversion typically takes 9-12 months from start to finish. This includes structural work, new floors and roofs if needed, services installation, and finishing. Planning and design work adds 3-6 months before construction begins.
What is Class Q Permitted Development for barns?▼
Class Q allows the change of use of agricultural buildings to residential without full planning permission. You need Prior Approval from the council, which considers transport, noise, and contamination. The building must have been in agricultural use since a specific date, and there are limits on floor area.
Got a Barn in Mind?
Send us some photos or give us a call. We'll tell you what's possible, which planning route makes sense, and roughly what you're looking at timewise. No charge, no obligation.
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