Policy information sourced from the Woking Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (DPD)

DM13: Buildings in and adjacent to the Green Belt

Unless very special circumstances can be clearly demonstrated, the Council will regard the construction of new buildings and forms of development other than those specifically identified on allocated sites in the Site Allocations DPD as inappropriate in the Green Belt. However, subject to other Development Plan policies, exceptions to this are detailed in Section 9 of the NPPF, in Policy CS6 of the Core Strategy, and as follows:

New Buildings and Facilities within Major Developed Sites

In line with information in the Glossary of the Core Strategy, limited infill development and redevelopment within Broadoaks, Parvis Road, West Byfleet and the Thames Water Sewage Treatment Works, Carters Lane, Old Woking where:

  1. the development would not exceed the height of the existing buildings or previous buildings if they have been demolished; and
  2. such infilling would not lead to a major increase in the developed proportion of the site; or
  3. such redevelopment would not occupy a larger area of the site than the existing buildings and hardstanding (unless this would achieve a reduction in height which would benefit visual amenity).

Extension and Alteration

The extension and alteration of buildings within the Green Belt 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 or if it was constructed after the relevant date, as it was first built.

Replacement

The replacement of buildings within the Green Belt (outside Mayford Village), 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.

Re-use

The re-use of buildings within the Green Belt (outside Mayford Village or the Major Developed Sites) 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.

Any other form of development as listed under paragraphs 89 and 90 of the NPPF.

Development Adjacent to the Green Belt

Development proposals adjoining the Green Belt, or outside the Green Belt but conspicuous when viewed from it, will only be granted permission where they can demonstrate that the development, including boundary treatments, does not have a detrimental impact on visual amenity and respects the transition between the built-up area and the open countryside by taking account of the character and openness of the adjacent countryside and landscape.

For more information please see the Development Plan Document