Policy information sourced from the Chelmsford Local Plan 2013-2036 PDF.

DM6: New Buildings in the Green Belt.

Where new buildings are proposed within the Green Belt, inappropriate development will not be approved except in very special circumstances.

A) New Buildings

Planning permission will be granted for the following exceptions to inappropriate development:

  • buildings for agricultural and forestry;
  • provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation and cemeteries as long as it preserves the openness of the Green Belt;
  • local transport infrastructure which can demonstrate a requirement for a Green Belt location and would preserve the openness of the Green Belt and not conflict with its purposes;
  • infilling in accordance with Policy DM9; v. limited affordable housing for local needs in accordance with Policy DM2;
  • extensions or alterations to buildings in accordance with Policy DM11;
  • redevelopment of previously developed land in accordance with Part B of this Policy;
  • replacement buildings in accordance with Part C of this Policy.

B) Redevelopment of previously developed land (whether redundant or in continuing use and excluding temporary building/s)

Planning permission will be granted where the proposed development would not have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing use and/or development. The Council will assess the development based on the following:

  • the size, scale, massing and spread of the new development compared to the existing; and
  • the visual impact of the development compared to the existing; and
  • the activities/use of the new development compared to the existing; and
  • the location of the site is sustainable and appropriate to the type of development proposed.

C) Replacement buildings

Planning permission will be granted for the replacement of a building provided that:

  • the existing building being replaced is of permanent and substantial construction; and
  • the new building is in the same use as the existing; and
  • the new building is not materially larger than the one it replaces; and
  • the new building would not be out of keeping with its context and surroundings, and does not result in any other harm.

For more information, please visit Chelmsford’s Local Plan here.