Agricultural buildings and farm access.
New farm buildings and accesses are often assessed on visibility and the size of vehicles using them. We design accesses that work for modern farm machinery and lorries.
Main guide: Site access design
Larger sheds, grain stores and livestock buildings bring bigger vehicles, from articulated feed lorries to wide tractors and trailers. The access and approach roads need to suit them.
What the council focuses on
Visibility at the access, the width and surfacing of the bellmouth, swept paths for the largest vehicles, mud and debris on the road, and drainage onto the highway.
The evidence that answers it
- An access drawing with visibility and surfacing details.
- Swept paths for articulated lorries and tractor and trailer combinations.
- Trip numbers by season, including harvest.
- Measures to keep the road clean.
Prior approval for farm buildings
Some agricultural buildings proceed through prior approval, where the council can consider siting and access. A clear access drawing helps the application through.
What the application usually needs
- An access drawing with visibility and surfacing.
- Swept paths for articulated lorries and tractor trailers.
- Seasonal trip numbers, including harvest.
- Measures to keep the road clean.
- Drainage at the access.
A typical case
A typical case is a new grain store with a widened field access onto a B road. The council asks about lorries at harvest. We design a bellmouth with a hard surface to keep mud off the road, show swept paths for articulated grain lorries, and draw visibility splays to the measured speeds.
Technical points
Modern farm vehicles are larger and wider than older guidance assumed. Hard-surfaced accesses reduce mud on the road. Gates should be set back so vehicles can pull clear of the carriageway. Where prior approval applies, a clear access drawing helps.
Field accesses used occasionally by machinery are assessed differently from yard accesses used every day by lorries. We match the access design to the actual use, so the improvement is proportionate. Livestock buildings may also need space for livestock lorries to load and turn, and access to the building for feed deliveries.
If highways raise concerns
Concerns usually relate to visibility and mud on the road. A hard-surfaced access set back from the carriageway and measured visibility usually resolve them.
Where visibility is limited by hedges, we check the highway boundary and propose trimming or setting back within the applicant’s land.
How we help
We design the access and prepare a short technical note, and support planning and prior approval applications.
The same questions arise in Scotland and Wales, where they are assessed against NPF4 and Scottish guidance or Planning Policy Wales and TAN 18 rather than the NPPF.
To get a quote, send us:
- The site address or a location plan.
- The building’s use and the vehicles serving it.
- The access location and road.
- Any pre-application advice or highways comments you already have.
Questions we get asked
Does a farm building need a Transport Statement?
Rarely. An access drawing and short note are usually enough.
What visibility does a farm access need?
It depends on road speeds. We measure and draw the splays.
How do you stop mud on the road?
With a hard-surfaced access and wheel cleaning where needed.
Can a field access be widened?
Usually, with planning permission or prior approval.
Do you check swept paths for tractors?
Yes, including trailers and articulated lorries.
Related guidance.
Related services: Site access design · Swept path analysis · Visibility splay calculator.
Guidance and sources
- GOV.UK: National Planning Policy FrameworkEngland. National policy on transport in planning decisions.
- GOV.UK: Travel Plans, Transport Assessments and StatementsEngland. Planning guidance on proportionate transport evidence.
Sources checked 8 November 2026. General information, not advice on a specific site.
Got a site in mind?
Send us the location and what is proposed. We will tell you what the council is likely to ask for, with a fixed fee.