Policy information sourced from the Surrey Heath Core Strategy

DM1 The Rural Economy

Within the countryside, including the Green Belt, the Borough Council will support farm diversification proposals and the re-use, adaptation or conversion of buildings for economic purposes where:

  • The agricultural diversification is subordinate to the primary agricultural use and gives priority to the re-use of an existing building(s);
  • The existing building is appropriate in a rural location, is of permanent construction, structurally sound and capable of conversion without major alterations, adaptations or reconstruction to bring it into its desired use;
  • The scale and use of any diversification or economic purpose including cumulative impact and any associated ancillary development does not conflict with wider countryside and Green Belt objectives. Where justified, replacement buildings for farm diversification or economic purposes in the countryside beyond the Green Belt will be supported where:
  • The building to be replaced is of a permanent construction and is currently or was last in use for non-residential purposes;
  • The replacement building would not be materially larger than the existing building;
  • Priority is given to siting the replacement building on previously developed land.

The conversion or re-use of buildings for residential purposes will be considered against criteria (ii) and (iii) above after having established that use for economic purposes is not feasible or appropriate. The Borough Council will consider applying conditions which restrict permitted development rights for residential conversions or re-use.

Policy information sourced from the Surrey Heath Core Strategy