Policy DM11 - Existing Businesses in the Green Belt

The Council's support for existing businesses in the Green Belt and their need to extend as set out in Policy DM11 - Existing Businesses in the Green Belt is supported. However, the Council's attention is drawn to the criteria set out in para.89 of the NPPF which identifies a number of exceptions to the definition of 'inappropriate' development in the Green Belt, three of which could be applicable to instances where an existing business within the Green Belt seeks to provide additional accommodation.

It is accepted that criterion (iii) of Policy DM11 reflects instances where the extension or alteration of a building is deemed 'appropriate' in Green Belt terms provided that it does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building.

However, Policy DM11 does not appear to reflect the two remaining relevant criteria, namely the 'replacement of a building, provided that the new building is in the same use and not materially larger than the one it replaces' and 'limited infilling of previously developed sites which would not have a greater impact upon the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development'.

Both these forms of development could be essential in allowing an existing business to develop and adapt to its customer's needs and accordingly, it is requested that Policy DM11 be revised to refer to the potential for existing businesses to either replace existing buildings or undertake limited infilling on previously developed land so as to accurately reflect the Green Belt provisions set out in the NPPF.