Policy information sourced from the East Herts District Plan
HOU5 Dwellings for Rural Workers
The Council will only permit permanent dwellings for agriculture, forestry and other rural businesses where:
- It can be demonstrated that the dwelling is essential to the needs of the business (i.e. there is a need for one or more workers to be available at most times);
- It can be demonstrated that the enterprise has been established for at least three years and is, and should remain financially viable;
- There is no other accommodation within the site/holding or in the locality which is currently suitable and available, or could be made available.
The proposed dwelling must be sensitively designed and in keeping with its rural surroundings.
Where a new dwelling is permitted, the occupancy will be restricted by condition to ensure that it is occupied by a person or persons currently employed, or last employed, in agriculture, forestry or other rural business, or a widow or widower of such a person, and to any residents dependants.
Applications for the removal of an occupancy condition related to rural workers will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances where it can be demonstrated that:
- There is no longer a need for the accommodation for agricultural, forestry or other rural workers on the holding/business and in the local area;
- The dwelling has been marketed for a reasonable period (at least 12 months) and at a price which reflects the existence of the occupancy condition;
- The dwelling cannot make a contribution towards meeting local affordable housing needs in the area.
For more information please see the District Plan