What types of projects are likely to get planning permission within a Green Belt?

Getting planning approval for projects within a Green Belt might seem impossible, but there are certain development categories that the LPA might look as favourable and would not immediately refuse the application.

  • Buildings for agriculture and forestry
  • Facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation and cemeteries (as long as openness maintained)
  • Extension or alteration of existing building (as long as scale and proportion maintained)
  • Replacement of an existing building (as long as scale and proportion maintained)
  • Limited infill in villages, limited affordable housing
  • Limited infill or redevelopment of brownfield land (as long as openness maintained)
  • Mineral extraction (as long as no conflict with purposes)
  • Engineering operations (as long as no conflict with purposes)
  • Local transport infrastructure (as long as no conflict with purposes)
  • Re-use of buildings (as long as no conflict with purposes)
  • Development under Community Right to Build Order (as long as no conflict with purposes)
  • Cemeteries.

Gaining permission for a new home on green belt is under tighter control. The rules surrounding building in the countryside are set out in Paragraph 55 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which requires special justification for isolated new rural homes. Agricultural Occupancy – which allows one-off homes for agricultural and forestry workers – is the main grounds for this. However, both the need for and size of a new home, as well as the existing business, will be closely assessed – under functional and financial tests – before permission is granted. Once granted, an Agricultural Restriction (or Tie) will be applied, meaning that the new home can only be occupied by workers — unless the Restriction is removed.

Paragraph 55 allows scope for planning to be granted for new rural homes that are ‘truly outstanding and innovative.’ To achieve such a high level of design you’ll no doubt require the aid of a skilled designer.

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