What type of development can be acceptable in Green Belts?

Green Belts aren’t designed to prevent all development. Although it may seem this way, this isn’t the case. There are many forms of development that can be supported as set out below.

Some of the types of developments that are exceptions include:

·       Buildings for agriculture and forestry

·       Appropriate facilities (in connection with the existing use of land or a change of use), for example facilities for outdoor sport and recreation

·       The extension or alteration of an existing building (as long as it is not a disproportionate addition compared to the existing)

·       The replacement of an existing building by one that is in the same use, and not materially large

·       Limited infilling in some villages

Further guidance can be found in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).