Agricultural Steel Frame Buildings Northamptonshire: Bespoke Fabrication and Installation
Farmers and landowners across Northamptonshire and the East Midlands are commissioning new steel frame buildings for grain storage, livestock housing, machinery cover, and general farm use. Steel is the material of choice for agricultural construction: structurally proven, low maintenance, and capable of the clear internal spans that operational farm buildings require. At Latmet Fabrications, based in Sywell, Northampton, we design, fabricate, and install bespoke agricultural steel frame buildings to UKCA and SCCS standards under FPC-EXC-2 BS EN 1090-1. Every building is engineered to the specific requirements of your farm, your site, and your intended use. We cover Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and the wider East Midlands within a 100-mile radius of our Northampton facility. Contact us on 01604 969 242 to discuss your project.
Bespoke Agricultural Steel Buildings: What We Fabricate
Latmet Fabrications produces the full range of steel frame agricultural buildings required by working farms across Northamptonshire and the wider East Midlands. Every building is designed and fabricated to your exact specification. We do not sell catalogue buildings or standard kit structures. Every dimension, steel grade, cladding specification, and door configuration is determined by what your farm and your site actually require.
Our agricultural steel frame buildings are designed to BS 5502, the British Standard covering buildings and structures for agriculture. BS 5502 sets the structural performance requirements specific to agricultural environments, including wind and snow load resistance, structural durability in livestock and crop storage conditions, and compliance with planning and building regulations for farm developments. Every Latmet agricultural building is fabricated to UKCA and SCCS standards under FPC-EXC-2 BS EN 1090-1, the UK conformity certification required for structural steelwork. This combination of agricultural-specific and structural certification puts Latmet ahead of kit-build suppliers and supply-and-erect companies that do not offer equivalent certification on bespoke agricultural builds.
Our buildings cover the full range of agricultural uses:
- Grain stores and crop storage buildings: clear-span structures designed for the specific load and ventilation requirements of grain, root vegetables, and other arable crops
- Livestock buildings: cattle housing, sheep sheds, covered yards, and handling facilities fabricated to the specific structural requirements of livestock environments, including load ratings for animal pressure and the corrosion resistance needed in wet agricultural conditions
- Machinery and equipment stores: implement sheds, vehicle storage, and covered workshop buildings with wide openings and clear internal spans suited to large modern agricultural machinery
- Straw barns and hay storage: tall clear-span structures capable of accommodating large bale stacking and mechanised handling equipment
- General purpose farm buildings: flexible clear-span structures designed for mixed agricultural use, adaptable as operations change over the life of the building
- Covered yards and handling facilities: purpose-built covered working areas for livestock management, feed storage, and operational farm use
Latmet Fabrications is certified to UKCA and SCCS standards under FPC-EXC-2 BS EN 1090-1 and designs agricultural buildings to BS 5502. Every building is fabricated to the structural standard required for permanent agricultural construction in the UK market.
Why Certification Matters for Agricultural Steel Buildings
When a farmer or landowner commissions a new steel frame building, certification is not a detail to overlook. It is the structural assurance that the building has been designed, fabricated, and installed to the required UK standard. It is also the documentation that supports planning consent, building control sign-off, and farm insurance.
UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) is the post-Brexit conformity mark required for structural steel products placed on the UK market. Latmet Fabrications is certified to UKCA and SCCS standard under FPC-EXC-2 BS EN 1090-1. FPC stands for Factory Production Control, and Execution Class 2 covers structural steelwork relevant to permanent agricultural and commercial buildings. The certification covers structural design, material traceability, welding quality, and dimensional accuracy throughout the fabrication process.
BS 5502 is the British Standard that applies specifically to agricultural buildings. It sets out structural design requirements calibrated to the conditions found in working agricultural environments: wind and snow loads typical of open rural sites, operational loads from livestock, grain, and machinery, and durability requirements for materials exposed to agricultural chemicals, moisture, and biological activity. A building designed to BS 5502 is structurally appropriate for its intended agricultural use.
Many national kit-build agricultural building suppliers do not carry equivalent UK certification for bespoke fabricated structures. Some still reference CE mark accreditation, the pre-Brexit standard superseded by UKCA for structural steel products placed on the UK market. For a permanent building that will be on your farm for decades, the distinction matters: structurally, commercially, and for your insurers and planning authority.
UKCA and SCCS certification under FPC-EXC-2 BS EN 1090-1 provides assurance that every Latmet agricultural building has been fabricated to the structural standard required by UK building regulations, planning authorities, and farm insurance providers.
Planning Permission for Agricultural Steel Buildings
Planning permission is one of the most common areas of uncertainty for farmers considering a new steel frame building. The rules are more nuanced than most buyers realise, and getting them wrong can result in costly enforcement action or delays that push a build beyond the farming season.
Permitted development for farms over 5 hectares (Class A). Under the 2024 amendment to the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO, SI 2024/579), farms of more than 5 hectares may now erect new agricultural buildings of up to 1,500 square metres under permitted development rights. This significantly increases the previous limit of 1,000 square metres. Permitted development under Class A is subject to prior notification with your local planning authority, which must be submitted before work begins. Height limits, proximity to roads and public rights of way, and proximity to listed buildings also apply.
Permitted development for farms under 5 hectares (Class B). Farms of less than 5 hectares may erect agricultural buildings of up to 1,250 square metres under permitted development, subject to the same prior notification requirement and similar conditions on height and siting. Class B also covers extensions to existing agricultural buildings within certain limits.
When full planning permission is required. Full planning consent is needed where the proposed building exceeds the permitted development size limits, where the farm is located in a designated area such as a conservation area, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a National Landscape, or near a listed building, or where the proposed use does not fall within the definition of agricultural development.
Biodiversity Net Gain. Agricultural buildings that require full planning permission are now subject to the mandatory biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirement under the Environment Act 2021. A minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity value must be demonstrated as part of the planning application. This requirement has been in force since November 2023 and is not addressed on most competitor information pages. Early engagement with a suitably qualified ecologist is recommended for any project requiring full planning consent.
We can advise on the structural and building envelope aspects of a prior notification or planning application: dimensions, height, cladding specification, and foundation design. We do not manage prior notification submissions or planning applications on behalf of clients. We recommend engaging your local planning authority at pre-application stage before committing to a site or a design. For projects requiring full planning consent, a planning consultant with experience in agricultural development is advisable.
The Fabrication and Installation Process
Understanding how a bespoke agricultural steel frame building is delivered from initial enquiry to handover allows you to plan your project with confidence and programme the build around the farming calendar.
Initial consultation and site assessment. The process begins with a conversation about your farm, your intended use, and the building specification you require. Where appropriate, we will arrange a site assessment to review ground conditions, access, drainage, and any site-specific factors that affect the structural design.
Structural design and specification. We produce a structural specification for your building covering the portal frame geometry, steel section sizes, connection design, cladding and roof specification, door and window openings, and any special provisions required by the intended use. Structural calculations are produced for your specific site, taking into account local wind and snow loads, foundation conditions, and BS 5502 agricultural requirements.
Prior notification and planning advice. We can advise on the structural parameters relevant to your prior notification submission or planning application before you make the application. This ensures that the building you intend to fabricate aligns with what has been submitted to the planning authority.
Fabrication at our Northampton facility. All steelwork is fabricated at our facility in Sywell, Northampton, to UKCA and SCCS standards under FPC-EXC-2 BS EN 1090-1. Every column, rafter, connection, purlin, and associated steelwork element is manufactured to the precise dimensions required by the structural specification.
Groundworks and foundations. We carry out the groundwork and foundation installation required to support the building, including excavation, concrete slab or strip foundation construction, and drainage provisions appropriate for the agricultural use.
Installation and handover. Our team installs the structural steel frame and full building envelope on site. Lead time from order to installation complete depends on the size, complexity, and specification of the building. Contact us on 01604 969 242 to discuss your project programme and confirm current lead times.
Annual Investment Allowance: A Note for Farmers
The Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) enables businesses, including farm businesses, to deduct 100% of the cost of qualifying plant and machinery against taxable profits in the year of purchase. Agricultural buildings and their integral fixtures may qualify for AIA in whole or in part, depending on how the expenditure is classified for tax purposes.
This is a matter for your accountant rather than your fabricator. The classification of agricultural building expenditure for AIA purposes depends on the specific nature of the building, its use, and the structure of your farm business. We recommend discussing AIA eligibility with your accountant before finalising your build programme, as the timing of expenditure can affect the tax position for the relevant financial year.
Coverage: Northamptonshire and the East Midlands
Latmet Fabrications is based at our fabrication facility in Sywell, Northampton (NN6 0BL). Northamptonshire is a farming-dense county with significant arable and livestock operations across the Nene Valley, the south of the county, and the rolling agricultural land between Northampton and the county boundaries. We are well positioned to serve farmers and landowners across the county and the wider region.
Our 100-mile service radius covers Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Milton Keynes. The A45, A47, and A14 corridor connects our Sywell facility to the East Midlands, the South East, and Greater London efficiently, making delivery and installation logistics manageable for projects across the region.
If you are looking for a certified agricultural steel frame building fabricator near you in Northamptonshire or the wider East Midlands, contact us on 01604 969 242 to discuss your project, site, and programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of agricultural steel frame buildings does Latmet Fabrications produce?
We fabricate the full range of agricultural steel frame buildings including grain stores, livestock buildings, machinery and equipment stores, straw barns, covered yards, handling facilities, and general purpose farm buildings. Every building is designed and fabricated to the specific requirements of the farm, site, and intended use. We do not supply standard catalogue structures. Contact us on 01604 969 242 to discuss your building requirement.
What size agricultural building can I build without planning permission?
Under the 2024 GPDO amendment, farms over 5 hectares (Class A) may erect new agricultural buildings of up to 1,500 square metres without full planning permission, subject to prior notification with the local planning authority. Farms under 5 hectares (Class B) may erect buildings up to 1,250 square metres under similar conditions. Height, proximity to roads, and use restrictions also apply. We recommend confirming your position with your local planning authority before proceeding.
What is BS 5502 and why does it matter for agricultural buildings?
BS 5502 is the British Standard covering the design, construction, and use of buildings and structures for agriculture. A building designed to BS 5502 meets the structural performance requirements specific to agricultural environments, including wind and snow load resistance and durability in livestock and crop storage conditions. Latmet Fabrications designs all agricultural steel frame buildings to BS 5502 as part of our standard specification.
What does UKCA certification mean for my agricultural building?
UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) is the post-Brexit conformity mark required for structural steel products placed on the UK market. Latmet Fabrications is certified to UKCA and SCCS standards under FPC-EXC-2 BS EN 1090-1, covering structural design, material traceability, welding quality, and dimensional accuracy. For a permanent agricultural structure, this certification provides assurance that the building meets the structural standard required by UK building regulations, planning authorities, and farm insurers.
How much does an agricultural steel frame building cost?
The cost of a bespoke agricultural steel frame building depends on the building type, size, specification, foundation requirements, cladding, and site access. Because every Latmet building is fabricated to specification rather than selected from a catalogue, pricing is provided on application. Contact us on 01604 969 242 to discuss your project and receive a detailed quotation based on your farm, site, and building requirements.
Do I need planning permission for an agricultural steel building in Northamptonshire?
It depends on your farm size and the scale of the building. Under permitted development rights, farms over 5ha can erect buildings up to 1,500 sq m without full planning consent, subject to prior notification. Farms under 5ha have a limit of 1,250 sq m. Buildings in sensitive planning areas, or that exceed permitted development limits, require full planning permission. We can advise on the structural implications: call 01604 969 242 to discuss your site.
What is Biodiversity Net Gain and does it apply to my agricultural building?
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a requirement under the Environment Act 2021 that came into mandatory effect for planning applications in November 2023. Where full planning permission is required for an agricultural building, the application must demonstrate a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity value. BNG does not apply to developments granted under permitted development rights. If your project requires full planning consent, early engagement with a qualified ecologist is recommended.
What areas does Latmet Fabrications cover for agricultural building projects?
We are based in Sywell, Northampton (NN6 0BL) and operate across a 100-mile radius. If you are looking for a certified agricultural steel building fabricator near you in the East Midlands, we cover Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Milton Keynes. Call 01604 969 242 to discuss your location and project requirements.
To discuss your agricultural steel frame building project or request a quotation, contact Latmet Fabrications on 01604 969 242. We design, fabricate, and install bespoke agricultural steel frame buildings across Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and the wider East Midlands within a 100-mile radius of our Sywell, Northampton facility. UKCA and SCCS certified. All pricing on application.