Policy information sourced from the Combined Policies of Epping Forest District Local Plan (1998) and Alterations (2006).

GB17A Agricultural, Horticultural and Forestry Workers’ Dwellings

The Council may grant planning permission for a dwelling for an agricultural, horticultural or forestry worker only where it is completely satisfied that: -

  1. the dwelling is essential, taking into account the nature of the enterprise (e.g. presence or otherwise of livestock), possible reorganisation of the existing labour force, the potential offered by existing residential accommodation on the farm or holding, and the outcome of any approach made to the Council as housing authority under the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976;
  2. if (1) is inconclusive, there is firm evidence of viability of the agricultural, horticultural or forestry enterprise concerned at the time of the application and of continued viability in the long term;
  3. genuine and sustained efforts to find alternative accommodation within reasonable travelling distance have proved unsuccessful (unless the accommodation is required to house a specialist worker who, by the nature of his or her job, needs to live on the farm or holding);
  4. the total floorspace does not exceed 150m2 ; and
  5. planning permission for such a permanent dwelling will only be granted subject to:
    • a planning condition to ensure that the dwelling is occupied by a person employed locally in agriculture, horticulture or forestry. That condition will not normally be removed on a subsequent application unless it is shown that the long-term needs for dwellings for agricultural workers, both on the particular farm or holding and in the locality, no longer warrant its reservation for that purpose; and
    • the making, in appropriate circumstances, of a legal agreement ensuring that the dwelling shall not be sold or leased separately from the holding. Temporary dwellings may be permitted whilst the long-term viability of the enterprise is being established;
  6. where appropriate a condition will be imposed removing selected permitted development rights for development within the curtilage of a dwelling house and for minor operations.

For more information, please see the Combined Policies document