Barns and rural buildings wanted in Bicester
Looking to sell barns and rural buildings near Bicester? We assess every site on its merits and explain the options in plain English.
A redundant barn, stable block or yard can have residential potential. Traditional buildings often suit conversion, while modern steel barns may qualify for permitted development in England. We assess the building, access and planning route before proposing a deal.
- Size
- Single barns to farmyards
- Planning
- With or without
- Areas
- England & Wales
- Ways we buy
- Outright or conditional
What barns and rural buildings we want near Bicester
In the countryside around Bicester, redundant barns and yards can sometimes become homes, depending on the building and the route available. Sitting about 11 miles north-east of Oxford, Bicester is within Oxfordshire, with Kidlington and Brackley close by.
- Traditional brick or stone barns
- Modern agricultural buildings that may suit Class Q (England)
- Farmyards with several buildings
- Buildings with or without an existing consent
Oxfordshire combines the city of Oxford with towns such as Banbury, Bicester, Witney, Abingdon, Didcot, Carterton and Kidlington and many villages. Green Belt surrounds Oxford, and the Cotswolds, Chilterns and North Wessex Downs National Landscapes cover much of the countryside. Typical sites include edge-of-town extensions, previously developed land, farm buildings and infill plots, with grey belt now relevant on parts of the Oxford fringe.
Checks we make on barns and rural buildings in Bicester
Planning route
In England, Class Q prior approval may apply to agricultural buildings; in Wales, a full application is usually needed.
Protected landscapes
National Parks and National Landscapes can restrict permitted development and design.
Access and services
Rural buildings often need new access, drainage and power.
National policy in England now recognises "medium development" of 10 to 49 homes on sites up to 2.5 hectares, and asks councils to allocate at least 10% of their housing on sites of one hectare or less and a further 10% on sites of one to 2.5 hectares.
Some land in Oxfordshire is designated Green Belt. If your land is within it, it may still qualify as grey belt or previously developed land under national policy, subject to the Golden Rules.
We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, around 55 miles from Bicester, and we travel to see sites across England and Wales.
Four ways to sell to us
Subject-to-planning contract
Common: we seek consent or prior approval and complete if successful.
Subject-to-planning contractOption agreement
You grant us the right to buy within a set period, usually for an option premium, while we pursue planning.
Option agreementJoint venture
You contribute the land, we fund and manage planning and delivery, and the proceeds are shared as agreed.
Joint ventureWhat happens after you get in touch
Tell us about the land
Use the form or call us with the location and a rough outline of the site.
Free appraisal
We review title, planning and constraints and tell you honestly what we think.
Written offer
If the site suits us, we set out an offer and the way we propose to buy.
Solicitors take over
Your solicitor and ours agree the contract; we keep you informed throughout.
Barns and rural buildings in Bicester: common questions
Does Class Q apply in Wales?
No. Class Q is part of the permitted development rules for England. In Wales, barn conversions generally need a full planning application.
Do bats stop a barn conversion?
Not usually, but surveys and mitigation are needed, and survey seasons can affect timing.
Is Bicester too far from our Birmingham base?
No. We are based in Great Barr, Birmingham, about 55 miles from Bicester, and we look at land right across England and Wales.
How quickly can you look at a site in Bicester?
For most sites we can give an initial view once we have the location and a plan. Detailed checks follow if the land looks suitable.