Policy information sourced from Three Rivers Development Management Policies DPD

DM2 Green Belt

As set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, the construction of new buildings in the Green Belt is inappropriate with certain exceptions, some of which are set out below:

New Buildings

Within the Green Belt, except in very special circumstances, approval will not be given for new buildings other than those specified in national policy and other relevant guidance. Further guidance on the factors that will be considered in assessing applications for agricultural or forestry dwellings in the Green Belt is contained in Appendix 3.

Extensions to Buildings

Extensions to buildings in the Green Belt that are disproportionate in size (individually or cumulatively) to the original building will not be permitted. The building’s proximity and relationship to other buildings and whether it is already, or would become, prominent in the setting and whether it preserves the openness of the Green Belt will be taken into account.

Replacement Dwellings

Replacement dwellings in the Metropolitan Green Belt will only be permitted where the following criteria are met:

  • the replacement does not materially exceed the size of the original dwelling or
  • where the original dwelling has a floor area ( measured externally) of less than 110 square metres then the replacement dwelling may be of a total floorspace (excluding garage) of 110 square metres and
  • the replacement would not be more harmful to the visual amenity and openness of the Green Belt by reason of its siting than the original dwelling.

Ancillary Buildings

The Council will only support the provision of ancillary buildings in the Green Belt where it can be demonstrated that the development would:

  • be of a scale and design clearly subordinate to the dwelling and of a height and bulk such that the building would not adversely affect the openness of the Green Belt
  • be sited in an appropriate location that would not be prominent in the landscape and would not result in the spread of urbanising development
  • avoid features normally associated with the use of a building as a dwelling such as dormer windows.

Extensions to Residential Curtilages

The Council will safeguard the countryside from encroachment, therefore proposals which include the extension of the curtilage of a residential property within the Green Belt which involves an incursion into the countryside will not be supported.

Re-use and Conversion of Buildings in the Green Belt

The Council will only support applications for the re-use/conversion of buildings in the Green Belt where:

  • the form, bulk and general design of the building is in keeping with the surroundings
  • any proposal by way of alterations/extensions, parking/turning areas, modifications to access or landscaping does not have a significant adverse effect on the openness of the Green Belt and does not appear excessively prominent
  • the scale of the proposed use is not likely to have a detrimental effect on the locality (e.g. by noise, smell or bringing heavy traffic into narrow lanes or involving uses not appropriate to the Green Belt or areas of open land)
  • the building is suitable for reuse/conversion without extensive alteration, rebuilding and or extension
  • proposals do not include open or agricultural land to provide new gardens/amenity space or include doors giving access from buildings directly onto such land.

For more information please see the Three Rivers Development Management Policies DPD