Policy information sourced from the Mole Valley Local Plan

EN1: THE GREEN BELT

1. Land which is designated as Metropolitan Green Belt will be protected against inappropriate development, as defined by national policy. The extent of the Green Belt within Mole Valley is set out on the Policies Map.

2. Inappropriate development will not be permitted in the Green Belt, unless very special circumstances are demonstrated which are concluded to outweigh the potential harm, including harm to the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land within it.

3. The following forms of development are exceptions to the definition of inappropriate development and will be permitted where they comply with other relevant policies in this Plan:

  • Extension or alteration of an existing building, including ancillary buildings within the curtilage of an existing dwelling or other building, provided the development does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building;
  • Replacement of an existing dwelling or other building, provided the new building is in the same use and not materially larger than the one it replaces;
  • Buildings or other structures which it has been demonstrated are reasonably necessary to support agricultural, horticultural or forestry use of the site, in accordance with Policy EC6;
  • Appropriate buildings or facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation, cemeteries, burial grounds and allotments, provided the proposed buildings and associated uses or activity would preserve the openness of the Green Belt and not conflict with the purposes of including land within it, by reason of their scale, design or siting. Where external lighting is proposed, or likely to be required, in connection with proposed outdoor uses, this should not result in light pollution adversely impacting on the amenities of neighbouring properties or the surrounding landscape, taking account of existing levels of artificial illumination in the surrounding area;
  • The re-use of existing buildings which are of permanent and substantial construction, provided the physical changes and associated uses and activity would preserve the openness of the Green Belt and not conflict with the purposes of including land within it.
  • Limited infilling in Tier 4, washed over villages, in accordance with Policy EN3;
  • Limited infilling or redevelopment of previously developed land where the new development would not have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt than the existing development;
  • Reuse of previously developed land to meet an identified affordable housing need within Mole Valley, where the development would not cause substantial harm to the openness of the Green Belt;
  • Limited affordable housing for local community needs, in accordance with Policy H4 or,
  • Other forms of development specifically identified through national policy as exceptions to the definition of inappropriate development, including changes of use and engineering operations which preserve the openness of the Green Belt and do not conflict with the purposes of including land within it.

For more information please see the Mole Valley Local Plan