Shropshire’s new planning blueprint could signal the end of lucrative barn conversions on farms across the county, it was claimed today.

Developers face a hefty financial levy on barn conversion schemes to help fund affordable housing if a major policy change being proposed by Shropshire Council is adopted. But the move, which has been strongly defended by the council, has been described as a “punitive tax” on county farmers.

Under a sliding scale – the bigger the conversion, the bigger the levy – developers would be forced to contribute up to 50 per cent of the cost of construction of equivalent floorspace in an affordable home.

Over the past 10 years more than 1,100 agricultural buildings have been converted, with the biggest number being in the Bridgnorth area.

Currently there are barn conversions on the market at prices ranging from £232,000 to £499,000.

Peter Fenwick, a planning specialist with Berrys in Shrewsbury, said today that he was “amazed” the council was considering the policy change which would affect all farmers with redundant agricultural buildings.

“I think it is a punitive tax on the farmers of Shropshire,” he said.

Mr Fenwick warned that the policy could mean the end of conversion schemes as it would significantly reduce their value.

He urged farmers to “bank” planning permissions under the current policy, before changes are implemented.

The proposed changes are contained in the council’s Core Strategy document, which is out to consultation until the end of this month. If it is approved and accepted by a Government-appointed planning inspector and the Secretary of State it is expected to be adopted by the council in 2011.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith said: “We believe that facilitating sensitive barn conversions in this positive way could make a small but important contribution to both farmers and rural communities.”

By Dave Morris