Policy information sourced from the Tandridge Local Plan Part 2: Detailed Policies

DP13: Buildings in the Green Belt

Unless very special circumstances can be clearly demonstrated, the Council will regard the construction of new buildings as inappropriate in the Green Belt. However, subject to other Development Plan policies, exceptions to this are as follows:

New Buildings & Facilities

A. The construction of new non-residential buildings directly related to agriculture or forestry, or new residential dwellings for agricultural workers in accordance with policy DP15.

B. The provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor sport and recreation and for cemeteries, as long as it preserves the openness of the Green Belt and does not conflict with the purposes of including land within it.

C. Limited infill development within the Defined Villages in accordance with policy DP12.

D. Limited affordable housing to meet local community needs, either in accordance with policy DP12 (within the Defined Villages) or policy CSP5 (rural exceptions).

Extension & Alteration

E. The extension or alteration of buildings within the Green Belt (outside the Defined Villages), where the proposal does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building as it existed at 1 July 1948 (for non-residential buildings) or 31 December 1968 (for residential dwellings), or if constructed after the relevant date, as it was built originally*.

Replacement

F. The replacement of buildings within the Green Belt (outside the Defined Villages), where the proposed new building:

  1. Is in the same use as the building it is replacing;
  2. Is not materially larger than the building it is replacing; and
  3. Is sited on or close to the position of the building it is replacing, except where an alternative siting within the curtilage demonstrably improves the openness of the Green Belt.

Infill, partial or complete redevelopment

G. The limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed (brownfield) sites in the Green Belt (outside the Defined Villages), whether redundant or in continuing use (excluding temporary buildings), where the proposal would not have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development.

Re-use

H. The re-use of buildings within the Green Belt (outside the Defined Villages) for industrial, commercial, community or residential** purposes, where:

  1. The proposal preserves the openness of the Green Belt and does not conflict with the purposes of including land within it;
  2. The buildings are of permanent and substantial construction, are structurally sound*** and capable of re-use without major alterations, adaptations or reconstruction;
  3. The proposed use can be wholly or substantially contained within the building identified for re-use; and
  4. The proposal is not likely to result in the need to construct additional agricultural buildings, unless it can be demonstrated that the building to be re-used is no longer suitable for an agricultural use.

I. Any other form of development as listed under paragraph 90 of the NPPF.

*When assessing proposals for the extension of rebuilt buildings, the Council will consider the original building (as defined in criterion ‘E’) in comparison with the present building and the proposed extension, in order to determine whether the proposal would result in a disproportionate addition.

**Where the re-use of a building within the Green Belt (outside the Defined Villages) for residential purposes would result in the creation of a new isolated home in the countryside, the Council will need to be satisfied that there are special circumstances such as those set out in paragraph 55 of the NPPF. Where permission is granted for the residential re-use of buildings in the Green Belt (outside the Defined Villages), the Council may consider applying conditions which restrict permitted development rights.

***Applications should normally be accompanied by a structural survey and a Conversion Method Statement (see glossary), effectively demonstrating that the building is capable of re-use without significant major alterations, adaptations or reconstruction.

For more information please see the Tandridge Local Plan Part 2: Detailed Policies