Policy information sourced from the Guildford Local Plan: Strategy and Sites

P2: Green Belt

The Metropolitan Green Belt, as designated on the Policies Map, will continue to be protected against inappropriate development in accordance with the NPPF. Inappropriate development will not be permitted unless very special circumstances can be demonstrated. Very special circumstances will not exist unless the potential harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm is clearly outweighed by other considerations.

The construction of new buildings in the Green Belt will constitute inappropriate development, unless the buildings fall within the list of exceptions identified by the NPPF. For the purpose of this policy, the following definitions will apply to those exceptions:

Extensions or alterations

  • The “original building” shall mean either:
    • the building as it existed on 1 July 1948; or
    • if no building existed on 1 July 1948, then the first building as it was originally built after this date

Replacement buildings

  • A new building will only constitute a “replacement” if it is sited on or in a position that substantially overlaps that of the original building, unless it can be clearly demonstrated that an alternative position would not increase the overall impact on the openness of the Green Belt.

Limited infilling

  • “limited infilling” shall mean:
    • Limited infilling within the identified settlement boundaries, as designated on the Policies Map, of the following villages. Limited infilling may also be appropriate outside the identified settlement boundaries where it can be demonstrated that the site should be considered to be within the village. Albury, Compton, East Clandon, East Horsley and West Horsley (north), Gomshall, Holmbury St Mary, Peaslake, Pirbright, Puttenham, Ripley, Shere, West Clandon and Worplesdon.
    • Limited infilling may also be appropriate outside the inset settlement boundaries, as designated on the Policies Map, of the following villages where it can be demonstrated that the site should be considered to be within the village. Ash Green, Chilworth, East Horsley, Effingham, Fairlands, Flexford, Jacobs Well, Normandy, Peasmarsh, Ripley, Send, Send Marsh/ Burnt Common, Shalford, West Horsley and Wood Street Village.
    • Limited infilling may also be appropriate in the following villages, where it can be demonstrated that the site should be considered to be within the village: Artington, Eashing, Farley Green, Fox Corner, Hurtmore, Ockham, Seale, Shackleford, The Sands, Wanborough and Wisley.

Certain other forms of development are also considered not inappropriate in the Green Belt provided they preserve its openness and do not conflict with the purposes of including land within it, and these are listed in the NPPF.

For more information please see the Local Plan