Policy information sourced from Dacorum Local Plan 2004 Alteration

108 High Quality Agricultural Land

Development which would result in the permanent loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land (classified by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as being of Grades 1, 2 and 3a) will be refused, unless it can be demonstrated that there is an overriding need for the development and there is no alternative land of a lower quality which could reasonably be used. Where development is permitted on the best and most versatile land, it should use the lowest grade of land suitable for development except where the sustainable development objectives of the Plan would be better met by using land of a higher grade.

In addition the effect of high quality agricultural land loss on farm economics and management will be considered. Planning permission will not be granted for development which would fragment farm holdings unless mitigation is possible e.g. the land can be incorporated into surrounding holdings and there is no severance of buildings from the land.

For more information please see the Local Plan