Policy information sourced from the Braintree District Council Local Plan 2013-2033.
LPP 8: Tourist Development within the Countryside.
Proposals for new tourist accommodation and facilities, including extensions to existing tourist accommodation and facilities, within the countryside, will be permitted provided that all the following criteria are met:
- The demand for the development has been clearly demonstrated;
- Large scale proposals are connected to and associated with existing facilities or located at a site that relates well to defined settlements in the area and are accessible to adequate public transport, cycling and walking links;
- They would not materially adversely affect the character, appearance and amenity of the surrounding area, any heritage assets and their setting, and should be well screened;
- Appropriate, convenient and safe vehicular access can be gained to/from the public highway and appropriate parking is provided;
- They will be served by adequate water, sewerage and waste storage and disposal systems;
- They will include a high quality landscaping scheme.
The occupation of new tourist accommodation will be restricted via condition or legal agreement to ensure a tourist use solely and not permanent residential occupation.
In addition, tourist accommodation proposals will be required to include a business plan that will demonstrate the long term viability of the scheme.
For more information, please visit Braintree District Council’s Local Plan here.