Policy information sourced from the Bracknell Forest Local Plan 2024-2037 document.

LP 35: Development in the Countryside.

1. Outside the defined settlements and the Green Belt (as defined on the Policies Map), the following forms of development will be permitted:

  • Employment Development
    • The redevelopment or infilling of previously developed land.
    • New buildings needed to support the rural economy
    • The replacement, extension or alteration of existing buildings, where the existing use will be retained.
    • The re-use or conversion of redundant or dis-used buildings of permanent and substantial construction.
  • Residential Develpoment
    • The construction of new dwellings in accordance with Policy LP 47 ‘Dwellings for rural workers’.
    • The re-use or conversion of redundant or dis-used buildings of permanent and substantial construction.
    • The replacement, extension or alteration (including sub-division) of existing dwellings.
  • Sport, recreation and nature conservation development
    • Facilities and changes of use of land for outdoor sport, recreation and nature conservation.

2. All development shall:

  • recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside,
  • avoid the unnecessary loss of existing business uses,
  • be appropriate and sensitive to its surroundings, and minimise the harm to the character and appearance of the area having regard to the following:
    • scale: floorspace, volume and height,
    • size of the proposal in relation to plot size,
    • siting within a plot/curtilage,
    • impact upon character and impact upon the site and its surroundings,
    • design and landscaping of the proposal, f. means of enclosure/boundary treatment,
    • amenities of neighbouring land uses,
    • the provision of appropriate vehicular and pedestrian/cycle access for the uses proposed, and
    • the cumulative effect of proposals, including visual impact and impact to highway safety.

3. In relation to employment development, regard will be had to whether it:

  • meets a local business or community need, and
  • is in a sustainable location, or includes measures to make a location more sustainable.

4. In relation to replacement buildings, extensions and alterations:

  • The starting point in relation to scale and siting will be a comparison of the existing building with that proposed.
  • Proposals should have no unacceptable impact upon the surrounding character and appearance of the area compared to the existing building to be replaced/extended.

5. In relation to re-use of buildings, the following matters will also be taken into consideration:

  • The building should be capable of re-use without major alterations, adaptations or reconstruction;
  • The proposal should enhance the immediate setting of the building;
  • Where a proposal relates to the re-use of an agricultural building, it must not result in the need to construct additional agricultural buildings, unless it can be demonstrated that the building to be re-used is no longer suitable or needed for agricultural use; and
  • Where a proposal relates to residential re-use or conversion, the extent of associated residential curtilage and hardstanding should be proportionate to the size of the existing building.

6. Sport and recreation development that would also be classified as a ‘main town centre’ use (as defined in relevant national planning policy) will not be considered an appropriate form of development in the countryside.

For more information, including links to the referenced Policies Map, please visit the Bracknell Forest Local Plan document here.