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Policy H20

Agricultural or Forestry Workers' Dwellings

As an exception to Policy H19 , applications for the erection of essential agricultural or forestry workers' dwellings within or close to existing farm holdings will be permitted provided that :

1. Clear evidence is submitted to show that the nature of the existing farm business (or any proposed extension to it) has been planned on a sound financial basis and that an additional agricultural worker's dwelling is justified in the long term,

2. A functional need for a dwelling has clearly been established and no existing dwelling in the control of the farm business, if made available, would meet the confirmed need, and none have recently been sold separately from the holding,

3. There are no other buildings in the ownership of the farm holding which would be suitable for conversion, adaptation or sub-division to provide an additional dwelling,

4. There are no other vacant agricultural workers' dwellings in a suitable location to meet the confirmed agricultural need,

5. The proposed site is acceptable for housing development in terms of Policy H4

6. The proposed dwelling is of an appropriate size to the needs of the farm holding and does not normally exceed 160 sq.metres,
and

7. The proposed dwelling is not intended as a retirement home for an existing farm worker,
and

8. Dwellings are closely related to existing farm buildings and are not obtrusive in the landscape.

In order that the Borough Council can be satisfied that there is still a relevant case for an agricultural worker's dwelling, outline permission will be restricted to 1 year for submission of details and 1 year from this to start of development. Permissions not taken up will not automatically be renewed unless a justifiable case for the delay is given.

Any such dwelling permitted will be the subject of an agricultural occupancy condition which will only be removed if there is no continuing need for it on the original farm holding or on any other holding in the surrounding area.

It may also be a requirement that any other dwellings in ownership of the applicant, which form part of or are adjacent to the holding, and which are not currently the subject of an agricultural occupancy condition will be made the subject of such a condition.   

3.159 - One of the exceptions to the Council's policy restricting new housing development in the countryside is dwellings which are required by agricultural or forestry workers.

3.160 - In terms of qualification for new dwellings in relation to agricultural need, the definition of an agricultural worker is :

'a person solely or mainly working, or last working, in the locality in agriculture or in forestry, or a widow or widower of such a person, and to any resident dependents'

3.161 - The Borough Council accepts that agriculture is an important element of the local economy, and will ensure that, where necessary, the genuine accommodation needs of farm businesses are catered for in the Local Plan.

3.162 - However, because of the potential impact of a proliferation of such development on the character of the countryside, and in order to avoid potential abuse of the planning system, the policy criteria have to be comprehensive. This will assist genuine cases of need. 

3.163 - Annex E of PPG7 (The Countryside & The Rural Economy) sets out further details on the way in which Local Planning Authorities should deal with applications for agricultural workers' dwellings.

3.164 - In cases where a functional need for a dwelling has not been proven, a temporary permission to site a residential caravan may be allowed in order to assess the functional need and, where appropriate, apply a financial test.  Permission would not normally be granted for a period in excess of three years.

3.165 - In many cases it will be convenient for agricultural workers to live in nearby towns or villages.  However, this policy is aimed at those cases where it is essential for workers to live at or very close to the farm. In order to ensure that only genuine cases are allowed, the one year time-limit is considered appropriate.

Policy H21: Conversion Of Buildings To Dwellings (Outside Settlements)
Back To Section 4: Housing Development Outside Settlements
Back To Local Plan 1996-2006