Policy information sourced from the Medway Local Plan 2003

BNE27 Re-Use of Buildings in the Countryside

Development involving the re-use or adaptation of an existing building in the countryside will be permitted provided that:

  1. the building is of a permanent, substantial construction and will not need major or complete reconstruction; and
  2. the form, bulk and design of the building will be in keeping with its rural surroundings; and
  3. the building’s character, any special features of architectural and historic value or its setting are not damaged; and
  4. the nature, scale and intensity of the proposed use is not detrimental to residential and/or rural amenity, or the character of the area; and
  5. the development does not lead to a dispersal of activity on a scale likely to prejudice town or village vitality; and
  6. when the re-use is to be residential, then either:
    • it is demonstrated that every reasonable attempt has been made, without success, to secure a suitable business re-use for that property; or
    • the residential element is a subordinate part of the scheme for business re-use.

For more information please see the Medway Local Plan 2003