Settlement Envelopes provide a distinction between settlements and the countryside.

Within the Settlement Envelopes the Council will support housing, employment and other uses including new retail, service and community facilities proportionate to the scale of the settlement, taking account of its role and function in the settlement hierarchy.

Within Settlement Envelopes of Small Villages, development will be limited to infill development, small-scale employment uses and community facilities. Where an identified need exists for further community facilities (such as education, health, sports and recreation uses or mixed community uses) and there is no land available within the settlement, a site adjacent to the settlement may be granted planning permission. Such development should make the best use of available land and lead to more sustainable communities.

Outside Settlement Envelopes, the Council will recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside and only particular types of development will be permitted. This includes the development of those sites allocated by this Development Plan, rural exception schemes, dwellings for the essential needs of rural workers and the re-use and replacement of existing buildings in accordance with Policies H5, DC1, DC2 or DC3. planning permission will also be granted for the redevelopment of previously developed land where the proposal does not cause the coalescence of settlements when considered against Policy SP5, the site is, or can be made, accessible to nearby services and facilities by sustainable modes of transport, there will be no detrimental impact on the built and/or natural environment, settlement character, highway network or the amenity of occupiers of neighbouring properties and where the proposal does not prejudice the deliverability of allocated sites.

Proposals for employment, tourism, leisure, rural and community uses will also be considered favourably subject to their conformity with Policies EMP3, EMP4, EE13, HQ3, HQ4 and DC4.

Limited extensions to gardens beyond Settlement Envelopes may be permitted provided that they do not harm the character of the area.

For more information, please visit the Central Befordshire Local Plan