Planning permission will be granted for a dwelling at an existing cluster of development provided it meets with the General Policy, accords with other provisions of the LDP and all the following criteria are met:
- the existing group of buildings (or cluster) displays a cohesive built form and constitutes a distinct visual entity in the rural landscape and is associated with a focal point;
- the cluster of development lies outside of a farm and consists of four or more buildings (excluding ancillary buildings such as garages, outbuildings and open sided structures) of which at least three are dwellings;
- the identified site provides a suitable degree of enclosure and is bounded on at least two sides with other development in the cluster;
- the proposed development can be absorbed into the existing cluster through rounding off and consolidation and will not significantly alter its existing character, or visually intrude into the open countryside;
- the proposed dwelling does not result in the coalescence of two visually distinct groups of buildings; and
- the proposal will not create or add to a ribbon of development.