Planning permission will be granted for a replacement dwelling in the countryside where:
- the building to be replaced exhibits the essential characteristics of a dwelling; and
- as a minimum all external structural walls are substantially intact.
For the purposes of this policy all references to ‘dwellings’ will include buildings previously used as dwellings.
Buildings designed and used for agricultural purposes, such as sheds or stores, and buildings of a temporary construction will not be eligible for replacement under this policy.
This policy will not apply to buildings where planning permission has previously been granted for a replacement dwelling and a condition has been imposed restricting the future use of the original building, or where the building is immune from enforcement action as a result of non-compliance with a condition to demolish.
Listed Dwelling
Planning permission will not be granted for the replacement of a listed dwelling unless there are exceptional reasons, see Policy HE4 Listed Buildings - Demolition of a Listed Building.
Non-Listed Vernacular Dwelling
All proposals for the replacement of a non-listed vernacular building will be assessed against this policy and the policy provisions of Policy HE8 Non-listed Locally Important Building or Vernacular Building.
Non-Residential Building
Favourable consideration will be given to the replacement of a permanent redundant non-residential building with a single dwelling, where the redevelopment proposed would bring significant environmental benefits and provided the building is not listed or otherwise makes an important contribution to the heritage, appearance or character of the locality.
All Replacement Cases
In addition to the above, a proposal for a replacement dwelling will only be permitted where it meets the General Policy, accords with other provisions of the LDP and where:
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The proposed replacement dwelling is sited within the established curtilage of the existing building, unless either:
- the curtilage is so restricted that it could not reasonably accommodate a modest sized dwelling; or
- it can be shown that an alternative position nearby would result in demonstrable landscape, heritage, access or amenity benefits;
- The overall size of the new dwelling should allow it to integrate into the surrounding landscape and would not have a visual impact significantly greater than the existing building.
For the purposes of this policy ‘curtilage’ will mean the immediate, usually defined and enclosed area surrounding an existing or former dwelling house.