New Proposals
The development of a new tourist amenity in the countryside will be permitted where it meets Policy TOU3 All Tourism Development in the Countryside and it is demonstrated that:
- it is in association with and requires a site at or close to a particular tourism attraction located in the countryside; or
- the type of tourist activity in itself requires a countryside location.
All proposals that include buildings must make provision in existing or replacement buildings, where possible.
Where a proposed tourist amenity is of regional or Borough wide importance or is otherwise significant in terms of the extent of new build or the scale of engineering operations it must demonstrate substantial benefit to the regional and/or the Borough’s tourism offer as well as sustainable benefits to the locality. Such applications must be supported by a tourism benefit statement and a sustainable benefit statement.
Extension/Expansion of an Existing Tourist Amenity
A proposal for the extension or expansion of an existing tourist amenity will be permitted where it meets Policy TOU3 All Tourism Development in the Countryside.
Where possible, such proposals including buildings will be expected to be accommodated through the conversion, reuse or extension of existing buildings on site, unless it can be demonstrated that this is not a feasible option. In circumstances where Council accepts a new or replacement building it should be sited and designed so as to integrate with the overall development.
Any conversion, extension or new building should be of high quality design and respect the scale, materials and finishes of the original building(s) on the site and any historic or architectural interest they may have.