Greenbelt exemptions

[FLF]

So I've been looking into a plot that sits in a greenbelt but it's located in a village, and the plot sits between two properties to the east and west and one to the north.

 

Previous planning permission was denied but the owner did not plan very well and didn't bother to match the character of buildings around.

 

There already is a small timber shed that sits behind a hedgerow that you can just about see the roof of from the road. I wanted to build a low energy home barn style single story home matching the brickwork of the village buildings. To keep the low profile build so it doesn't disturb over the hedgerow. Now I know the footprint is going to be bigger than the shed so it would probably get denied.

 

I was wondering if adding an allotment that could be adjacent to the property and would be easily accessible and wouldn't not disturb the house count as an exemption. As the village currently has no allotment and is seeking more community activities. See the attached image.

 

I have not purchased the land I am just spitballing ideas before making an offer.

 

Do you think labours new grey belt legislation will aide this case ?

[MikeSharp01]

Looks like a good opportunity, nothing is risk free in this space, provided you can get the plot for a good price how is the land zoned now - agricultural or ? The new planning regime looks like it will help you as infill like this should become grey belt or even brown field - if it was formerly the curtailage of one of the other properties, and there is also the new housing targets for councils so they need to build more houses. The challenge will be to get the locals onside so your plans have no objections and people / planners see your suggestion as the best use of the land and raises all boats in terms of value, character and that it matches the street scene, does not damage the overall feel of the area - essentially it looks, when finished like it has always been there. What did the planners say about the previous planning requests?

[FLF]

Yeah I would only go for it at a reduced priced than it's currently on for due to the risk. It's currently listed as agricultural.

 

Here are the reasons from the report why it fell through.

 

There is a Roman earthworks that runs through the north of the plot which is what they were refering to this scheduled monument - which is another reason for failure as they were building directly on top of it.

I understand that this would require an archaeological banksman most likely on site to mitigate this problem but at least it's not being built on top of it around 50m away - the monument is also not visible it's buried. The aim is not to disturb the monument unless we need access to that water connection. Which could be avoided if it's a deal-breaker. See the attached images for the decision and response.

 

 

[ProDave]

This is where I disagree with the details of the green belt planning law as written.  Of course we don't want to cover the green belt with houses, but to deny this is just mad.

 

Here in the Highlands the policy is general presumption against building but with sensible exemptions, one being infilling a plot between existing houses.

 

Perhaps wait a while wile the Labour planning reforms come into force which they say will make it easier to build on green belt land.  Plots like this should surely be the type of thing that should be allowed that won't destroy the green belt.

 

If you are a shrewd player and not risk averse, perhaps buy it now but wait for the planning law changes before proceeding.  It all depends how the plot is priced.

[Alan Ambrose]

You could perhaps have a contract subject to planning. Or do one or more pre-apps (which remain private) to see whether your LPA will countenance anything at all.

[mr rusty]

There was a similar application went through near us recently on a PiP. It might be a useful reference https://publicaccess.southribble.gov.uk/online-applications/files/784C23FE0A04F5A5B1A4B66E7D5A38A5/pdf/07_2023_00285_PIP-PLANNING_STATEMENT-306231.pdf

 

and the approval https://publicaccess.southribble.gov.uk/online-applications/files/59E8C09E3BD1F3CC3951B3C6C8A7D69E/pdf/07_2023_00285_PIP-DELEGATED_REPORT-313190.pdf

Edited September 15 by mr rusty