Policy information sourced from the Aylesbury Local Plan

E8 Tourist accommodation

Tourist accommodation in strategic settlements and large or medium villages, including new build, extensions or additions to existing facilities, will be supported where:

  • The proposal is located within designated town centre of strategic settlements or in large or medium village centres that are sustainable and accessible by a choice of transport modes, or
  • Where a sequential test has been applied to a proposal on the edge or outside town centres and it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that there is no significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the surrounding town centres, and is accessible by a choice of transport modes.

Tourist accommodation in smaller villages, other settlements or in the countryside outside the Green Belt will be supported where:

  • It would involve the conversion of existing buildings in accordance with policy C1
  • It would be sustainable and accessible by a choice of transport modes
  • The applicant has satisfactorily demonstrated that the facilities are required to support a particular rural tourist facility or countryside attraction
  • It would support sustainable tourism or leisure development, benefit the local economy and enhance community facilities, and
  • The scale, design and use of the proposal is compatible with its wider landscape, surrounding environment or townscape setting and would not detract from the character or appearance of the area.

Proposals that would result in the permanent loss or reduction in size of tourist accommodation with at least 6 bedrooms will be resisted unless it can be demonstrated that their tourist function is no longer viable and the site has been marketed for a minimum period of 12 months at a price commensurate with its use with details of levels of interest and offers received , that there is no longer a market for the premises in its tourist function and, in the case of a reduction in size, that the ongoing business will remain viable.

For proposals involving the provision of new camping and touring caravan sites or the expansion of existing sites, as well as other considerations set out in this plan, particular attention will be given to ensuring that:

  • The location, access and scale of facilities can be satisfactorily accommodated within the landscape character of the area, and where appropriate, is supplemented with additional landscaping
  • The site is well served by public transport or walking or cycling networks
  • The proposal does not cause significant highway problems
  • Facilities and buildings associated with the proposal are constructed of appropriate materials, are of a scale appropriate to the locality and are landscaped effectively to minimise any visual impact, and
  • Essential facilities such as toilets, showers and wash facilities are adequately provided for.

Proposals for hotels will be subject to the following considerations:

  • As a town centre use, hotels should also comply with Policy E5
  • In a situation where the impact of a new out-of-centre hotel would undermine the viability and contribution of more central hotels, or prejudice the potential to secure further hotel development on a more central site, it may be appropriate to refuse the application to protect the role of the town centre in accord with Government policy.

In granting permission, the council will impose conditions to control the use and occupation of tourist accommodation. This includes situations where built tourist accommodation is permitted in a location where open market housing would normally be refused, therefore the council will restrict its occupation to ensure it remains in use as tourist accommodation.

Policy information sourced from the Aylesbury Local Plan