Permission will not be granted for the erection of a permanent dwelling for an agricultural or
forestry worker, outside a defined settlement boundary, unless all the following criteria are
met:
1. the dwelling, and its proposed siting on an agricultural or forestry holding, is essential
for the efficient running of the enterprise;
2. the need is for accommodation for a full-time worker or one who is primarily employed in agriculture;
3. the unit and the agricultural activity concerned have been established for at least
three years, have been profitable for at least one of them, are currently financially sound,
and have a clear prospect of remaining so;
4. the functional need cannot be fulfilled by another existing dwelling on the holding, or any existing accommodation in the area;
5. the necessary accommodation cannot be provided by the conversion of a building on
the holding;
6. the dwelling is to be sited satisfactorily within the holding preferably within an existing group of buildings;
and
7. the new dwelling should be of an appropriate size for the needs of the enterprise.
5.16.4. In relation to Policies H17 and H18, the following important points should be noted: -
If planning permission is granted for a dwelling for an agricultural or forestry worker on a holding in the countryside, the Local Planning Authority will limit the occupation of the dwelling to a person solely or mainly working, or last working, if currently unemployed, in the locality in agriculture or forestry, or a widow or widower of such a person, and to any resident dependants.
In criterion (1) of Policy H18, 'essential' refers to the needs of the farming or forestry enterprise at the holding and not to the personal preferences or circumstances of the applicant, the owner or manager of the enterprise, or the worker for whom the house is intended.
Applicants should submit an independent agricultural appraisal to demonstrate how their
application accords with the criteria set out in Policy H18.
5.16.5. There may be cases where all of the criteria attached to Policy H18 can be satisfied with the exception of (3), relating to the time the unit and agricultural activity have been established. In these circumstances, it may be appropriate to grant temporary permission for a caravan, or other temporary accommodation, so as to allow the enterprise time to demonstrate whether or not it is viable, and whether or not there is an essential need for permanent accommodation.
5.16.6. The provision of temporary accommodation should not be seen as a means of avoiding the
requirement to prove a functional need for a dwelling, or avoid any of the other strict controls on residential development in the countryside. In addition there may be occasions where the provision of temporary accommodation would not be acceptable because of the effect on the character and appearance of the landscape.
5.16.7. Whether or not a building is appropriate for conversion as set out in criterion (5) of Policy H19
should be determined by reference to Policy B16 of this Plan.
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