Maximum Farm Building Heights

Insights | December 02 2025

What is the maximum height I can build a farm building under permitted development?

Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, the rules for agricultural permitted development (Part 6, Class A) allow:

For farms that are 5 hectares or more:

Your building can be up to 12 metres high.
But if the building is within 3 kilometres of an aerodrome, the maximum height drops to 3 metres.
If you plan to install a grain dryer or silo, different rules apply and you may need specific approval depending on height and design.

For farms under 5 hectares:

Building heights are more restricted and are judged case by case. These smaller units often need full planning permission sooner due to size limits.

Important reminders:

You must use the building for agriculture.
The building cannot sit within 400 metres of a protected building if you keep livestock.
Prior approval from the council is required before you start even if the project qualifies as permitted development.

Why farmers choose Foxes Rural

Foxes Rural understand the challenges farmers face. They work with agricultural businesses of all sizes and know how to present applications in a way councils understand. They help with:

New barns and storage buildings
Grain stores and crop handling buildings
Silos
Hardstanding and farm tracks
Equestrian buildings
Diversification projects
Changes of use under Class Q and Class R

Their team stays up to date with every change in planning law, so you don’t have to. With their help, farmers can expand, modernise and improve their businesses with confidence.