Focused Amendments to the Proposed Submission Core Strategy

Rather than simply retain the key elements of PPS7 Annex A, we suggest that the opportunity be taken to draft a more flexible policy that would reflect the principle of encouraging sustainable development that is enshrined in the National Planning Policy Framework. The Welsh TAN6 is a good example of this. The following suggested draft includes the main features of the TAN6 policy (full policy at para 4.3-4.14 of Welsh Technical Advice Note 6)

Rural enterprise dwellings
One of the few circumstances in which new isolated residential development in the open countryside may be justified is when accommodation is required to enable rural enterprise workers to live at, or close to, their place of work22. Whether this is essential in any particular case will depend on the needs of the rural enterprise concerned and not on the personal preference or circumstances of any of the individuals involved. Applications for planning permission for new rural enterprise dwellings should be carefully assessed by the planning authority to ensure that a departure from the usual policy of restricting development in the open countryside can be fully justified by reference to robust supporting evidence.
Rural enterprise dwellings include:
* A new dwelling on an established rural enterprise (including farms) where there is a functional need for a full time worker and the business case demonstrates that the employment is likely to remain financially sustainable. (See paragraph 4.4.1).
* A second dwelling on an established farm which is financially sustainable, to facilitate the handover of the management of the farm business to a younger farmer. (See paragraphs 4.5.1 - 4.5.3).
* A second dwelling on an established farm which is financially sustainable, where there is a functional need for a further 0.5 or more of a full time worker and at least 50% of a Grade 2 Standard Worker salary, as defined by the latest version of the Agricultural Wages Order, is obtained from the farm business. (See paragraphs 4.5.1 - 4.5.3).
* A new dwelling on a new rural enterprise where there is a functional need for a full time worker and the criteria in paragraphs 4.5.3 a-e are fully evidenced. (See paragraphs 4.6.1 - 4.6.2).

I consider that the proposed policy RA9, relating to agricultural dwellings, could have been made more flexible and effective, and perhaps more reflective of the core principle of sustainable development established in the National Planning Policy Framework. Rather than merely repeating the dated criteria from the now defunct PPS7 Annex A, the opportunity could have been taken to review the needs of agriculture and to produce a more imaginative policy similar to that in the Welsh Government's TAN6, paragraphs 4.3 to 4.14.