Policy information sourced from Windsor and Maidenhead Local Plan

ED 4 Farm Diversification

Proposals for farm diversification will be permitted providing they meet the following criteria:

  • the proposal is a subsidiary component of the farm enterprise and contributes to the continuing viability of the farm as a whole, retaining existing or providing new employment opportunities and services for the local community;
  • the scale and nature of the proposal must be appropriate within its rural location and where it is likely to create significant vehicular movements to and from the site it should be well located in relation to villages, settlements and towns;
  • the proposal should reuse or adapt any existing farm buildings which are suitable and where appropriate include the removal of any redundant buildings which are derelict or offer no opportunity for beneficial use. The reuse of a building for business and industrial uses should be appropriate in terms of its size and character, not adversely impact upon nearby agricultural activity, be appropriate to a rural setting and preferably connected to agriculture. New buildings to enable farm diversification will only be permitted in accordance with national Green Belt policy, and only if existing buildings cannot be reused.
  • In the Green Belt, very special circumstances will be needed for a new building. If a new building can be justified it should be sited in or adjacent to an existing group of buildings, be compatible in scale, design, siting and materials, must relate satisfactorily to the surrounding landscape and character, and must avoid where possible the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land;
  • there would be no significant detriment to the amenity of nearby residents, the surrounding landscape, biodiversity or geodiversity, and no unacceptable effect on water quality or flooding on any watercourse in the vicinity of the site;
  • the proposal should have regard to the local road network and the associated traffic movement should not compromise highway safety or the free flow of traffic; and
  • where a retail use is proposed it must be directly related to the farm unit.
  • the proposal would, where this is possible and viable, deliver environmental improvements, for example in terms of additional landscaping or biodiversity enhancements.

Proposals for retail development in the countryside, not related to a farm enterprise, will not be permitted and should be directed to villages, settlements and towns, in accordance with the Town Centres and Retail policies.

For more information please see the Local Plan