Policy information sourced from Sevenoaks Allocations and Development Management Plan

GB1 - Limited Extension to Dwellings in the Green Belt

Proposals to extend an existing dwelling within the Green Belt which would meet the following criteria will be permitted:

a) the existing dwelling is lawful and permanent in nature; and

b) the design responds to the original form and appearance of the building and the proposed volume of the extension, taking into consideration any previous extensions, is proportional and subservient to the ‘original’ dwelling and does not materially harm the openness of the Green Belt through excessive scale, bulk or visual intrusion; and

If the proposal is considered acceptable when considered against criteria a) and b), the following criterion will then be assessed and must also be met for the proposal to be considered appropriate:

c) the applicant provides clear evidence that the total floorspace of the proposal, together with any previous extensions, alterations and outbuildings would not result in an increase of more than 50% above the floorspace of the “original” dwelling (measured externally) including outbuildings within 5m of the existing dwelling.

Planning applications that include the conversion of loft space through the addition only of roof lights will be permitted and will not be subject to the floorspace allowance in criterion c), provided there is no increase in volume or bulk to the existing building as result of the proposal. Proposals for loft conversions that include the addition of dormer windows or other alterations that create volume or bulk will be subject to criterion c).

For more information please see the Allocations and Development Management Plan