Policy information sourced from the Mole Valley Local Plan

EC6: AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND FORESTRY

New Buildings for Business Purposes
1. New agricultural, horticultural or forestry development will be permitted where it can be demonstrated that the proposal:

  • Is to be sited on land which is in use for agriculture, horticulture or forestry for the purposes of a trade or business, or where it has been demonstrated that there is a reasonable prospect of a viable trade or business becoming established, if the building is permitted;
  • Is for a purpose and scale which is reasonably necessary for the purposes of the existing or proposed agricultural activities within the holding;
  • Is sited and designed in a manner which minimises harm to the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, including by incorporating landscape mitigation measures where necessary; and,
  • Does not replace buildings converted to alternative uses which could reasonably have continued in agricultural, horticulture or forestry use.

New Dwellings for Land-Based Workers
2. New dwellings for land-based workers will be permitted where they comply with the above criteria and also where:

  • There is an existing and well-established agricultural trade or business on the holding which is financially sound, and has clear prospect of remaining so;
  • There is a clearly established existing functional need for the proposed dwelling to be at or near the holding that cannot be met by an existing dwelling, including those in nearby settlements or villages;
  • The proposed dwelling should be of a size commensurate with the essential need and should be able to be supported long-term by the rural enterprise; and,
  • The need relates to a full-time worker or one who is primarily employed in agriculture and does not relate to a part time requirement.

3. Where proposals for dwellings for land-based workers are permitted the Council will impose appropriate occupancy conditions to ensure the accommodation remains available for its intended purpose.

Loss of Existing Dwellings for Land-Based Workers
4. Applications for the removal of conditions restricting the occupancy of existing dwellings for agricultural or forestry workers will be permitted where evidence demonstrates that:

  • There is no existing or foreseeable need at the business to which it is associated or in the local area; and,
  • The property has been actively but unsuccessfully marketed for 12-month period at a reasonable market value with a recognised agent.

For more information please see the Mole Valley Local Plan