Development Management SPD

3 Residential development in the countryside

3.1 Local Plan Policy GD3 states that the amount of new development that can be carried out in the countryside in Harborough District, outside the towns and villages, is strictly controlled. Policy GD4 gives exceptional circumstances in which new housing in the countryside may satisfy planning policy.

3.2 There may be instances where special justification exists for new dwellings in the countryside. For example, associated with agriculture and other rural based enterprises. In these cases, the enterprise itself, including any development necessary for the operation of the enterprise, must be acceptable in planning terms and permitted in that rural location, regardless of the consideration of any proposed associated dwelling.

REPLACEMENT DWELLINGS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

3.3 Any replacement dwelling proposals must satisfy Local Plan policy GD4 and preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the countryside. In general terms any replacement proposals should reflect the size and scale of the original dwelling and not result in a dwelling that is disproportionately larger than the one it is replacing in order to maintain countryside character and appearance. The impact of any proposed replacement dwelling, including ancillary buildings and sensitive boundary treatment Fig. 3.1, if of similar size and scale to existing building is therefore unlikely to be more visually prominent or intrusive in the countryside. Any proposed replacement dwelling should be on the site of the original dwelling to reduce its potential impact and avoid proliferation of buildings. (Fig. 3.1)

Fig. 3.1 Sensitive countryside boundary treatment