The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This policy supports economic development in the countryside, outside allocated sites and settlement boundaries. All proposals must be of an appropriate scale, reuse existing buildings where possible, avoid unacceptable impacts on local roads and respect the character of the area. It supports agricultural and forestry businesses, including converting buildings that have existed for at least ten years, farm diversification and equestrian uses, plus tourism and leisure uses such as visitor accommodation, expanded holiday caravan sites and golf facilities.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
Policy DS.11
Rural Economy
This policy applies to all locations outside of allocated sites and the defined Built-up
Area Boundaries of settlements, as defined in Policy DS.8 and shown on the Policies
Map.
Proposals for economic development in the above rural locations will be supported in
the circumstances set out below. All development proposals should:
• Be of an appropriate scale to their location
• Re-use existing buildings where possible
• Not have an unacceptable impact on local roads
• Exploit any opportunities to make the location more sustainable
• Respect the character of the surrounding area
A. Agricultural and Forestry Businesses
1. Conversion of building for business purposes subject to its location and
character, including historic or architectural merit, being suitable for the
proposed use and it having been in existence for at least ten years.
2. Redevelopment at similar scale of an existing building for business purposes,
excluding holiday lets, where this would result in more effective use of the site.
3. Ensure that any new buildings are well related to the built form and scale of the
agricultural business.
4. An extension to a business in its established location, particularly if it would be
unreasonable to expect the business to relocate in order to expand.
5. A building or structure related to agriculture, horticulture and forestry where it
is required for such purposes.
6. Farm-based business activities that would help to diversify and support the
viability of agricultural operations.
7. New and extended nurseries
8. Equine and equestrian-related activities, wherever practicable using existing
buildings and structures.
B. Tourism and Leisure Businesses
1. Tourism, visitor accommodation and leisure-based uses, including sport and
recreation, particularly those which would help to provide local employment
and support rural services.
2. Purpose-built visitor accommodation that is directly associated with and
related to the scale and nature of an existing use.
3. Expansion of an existing holiday caravan/chalet site where this would secure
benefits to its function and appearance.
4. Golf courses, golf driving ranges and ancillary facilities.
Proposals should also be considered alongside Policy EC.3, in particular.