Policy information sourced from the Sutton Local Plan 2016-2031

27: Agricultural Land

On agricultural land, defined as the Woodcote Green Belt:

a. The council will only grant permission for agricultural, horticultural and animal-related businesses provided that they are of a scale appropriate with size of the site.

b. The council will only permit development that would lead to the loss of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land if:

  • it has been demonstrated that the benefits of the development outweigh the loss of Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land.
  • the loss would not result in a reduction of the viability of the remaining agricultural land.

c. The council will not permit new agricultural, horticultural or animal-related business buildings unless it is satisfied that they are necessary, do not affect the character of the area and that there are no other suitable buildings on the site for the proposed use. The council will assess whether existing agricultural, horticultural, or commercial buildings are being used for those purposes. Proposals must be accompanied by a comprehensive business diversification plan, which establishes how the proposals will assist the viability of the business.

d. The council will grant planning permission for residential units arising out of the replacement or redevelopment of vacant agricultural, horticultural, or commercial buildings, provided that:

  1. it can be demonstrated the building had been in active agricultural, horticultural, or commercial use for a 10-year period prior to its becoming vacant and there is no prospect of the building being used for agricultural, horticultural, or commercial in the future.
  2. it can be evidenced that a replacement building for agricultural, horticultural, or commercial use would not be viable.
  3. the residential unit will have a maximum plot size of 0.2ha for each detached dwelling and 0.1ha for each semi-detached dwelling.

For the Woodcote Green Belt map see Appendix 5, Map 5.3, and the Policies Map

For more information please see the Local Plan 2016-2031