Policy information sourced from the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033

DM4 Green Belt

  • The purposes of the Green Belt are to:
    1. check the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas;
    2. prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another;
    3. to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;
    4. preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and
    5. assist urban regeneration by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land. B. Within the Green Belt planning permission will not be granted for inappropriate development, except in very special circumstances, in accordance with national planning policy.
  • The construction of new buildings is inappropriate development in the Green Belt. Exceptions to this are:
    1. buildings for the purposes of agriculture and forestry;
    2. provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation and for cemeteries, as long as any development preserves the openness of the Green Belt and does not conflict with the purposes of including land within it;
    3. the extension or alteration of a building provided that it does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building;
    4. the replacement of a building, provided the building is of the same use and not materially larger than the one it replaces;
    5. limited infilling in rural communities and limited affordable homes, in locations that are in accordance with Policy H3; and
    6. limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed land, whether redundant or in continuing use (excluding temporary buildings), which would not have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development.
  • Certain other forms of development are also not inappropriate in the Green Belt provided they preserve the openness of the Green Belt and do not conflict with the purposes of including land in the Green Belt. These include:
    1. mineral extraction;
    2. engineering operations;
    3. local transport infrastructure that can demonstrate a requirement for a Green Belt location;
    4. the re-use of buildings provided that the buildings are of a permanent and substantial construction; and
    5. development brought forward under a Community Right to Build Order.

For more information please see the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033