Barn conversion — can we keep the agricultural building look outside?

We're converting a steel portal frame barn (1980s, not listed) into a family home. We want to keep the external appearance as agricultural as possible — corrugated cladding, large sliding doors, no fancy render or windows.

The council seems to want us to "domesticate" it with smaller windows, brick plinths, and a pitched tile roof. But that defeats the whole point — we bought a barn because we like barns.

Is there any precedent for keeping agricultural aesthetics? I've seen some amazing NPA conversions that look like working barns from the outside. How do we argue this without the committee thinking we're being awkward?

There's absolutely precedent for this. Look up "NPA7" conversions — many retain agricultural aesthetics. The key is to demonstrate that the agricultural character is what makes the building special and that domesticating it would actually harm its heritage value.

Get your architect to find comparable approved schemes in your county. If you can show 3-4 examples of barns that look agricultural from the outside, the committee will find it much harder to refuse.

Great tip on the comparables. Our architect is pulling together a portfolio of similar schemes now.