Environment

The changing nature of agriculture has left many traditional buildings within the District redundant or unsuitable for modern agricultural practises. The re-use and adaptation of rural buildings for diversification activities has an important role to play in meeting the needs of rural areas for business and commercial developments and can assist in reducing the requirement for new build. Consequently the Council seeks to encourage proposals for the appropriate re-use of rural buildings in order to help maintain the rural economy.

The acceptability of such a scheme will be dependent upon factors such as the acceptability of the use on a particular site, its scale, the condition and character of the buildings concerned, the nature of the alterations proposed and the impact upon the surrounding area.

Many traditional farm buildings may be listed buildings or located within the curtilage of a listed building. If the building you wish to convert is listed you will also be required to submit an application for listed building consent for any internal and/or external alterations, which affect the character of the building. Whilst your local planning office will provide you with more detailed advice, in order to be acceptable, the alternative use should be compatible with and preserve the character of the building, its setting and any special features of architectural or historic interest which it possesses.

You should be aware that the conversion of rural buildings to residential use is not classed as farm diversification as it does not generate an additional source of income.

For more information on the policies that will be relevant to your proposal you should consult The Unitary Development Plan. The Deposit Draft of the replacement Unitary Development Plan can be viewed in Local Planning Offices, libraries and on the Council's website on the Unitary Development Plan webpages. Extracts from this document can also be purchased from any of the local planning offices.