Policy HSG1: New Housing in the Countryside

Policy HSG1:  New Housing in the Countryside

Development proposals for new housing outside of Settlement Policy Boundaries must meet the Plan’s climate change policies to support the council’s climate emergency declaration, and will only be permitted where they are:

1. On ‘previously developed land’, provided that:

1. They do not result in an isolated form of development; and
2. The proposed use and scale of development is appropriate to the site’s context and does not cause unacceptable levels of harm in relation to landscape, heritage, ecological impacts or transport or

2.  For a rural exception site for affordable housing or a first homes exceptions site (where permitted by Policy HSG3); specialist housing (where permitted by Policy HSG6); or a single plot exception site for custom and self-build housing (where permitted by Policy HSG4); or

For the re-use of a redundant or disused permanent building provided that the proposal:

1. Involves a building that is structurally sound and does not require substantial rebuilding, extension or alteration;
2. Respects and retains the character, fabric and distinctive features of the building, where such features are considered beneficial to retain; and
3. Does not result in the requirement for another building to fulfil the function of the building being converted; and
4. It leads to an enhancement to the immediate setting; and
5. Demonstrates that it minimises carbon emissions in accordance with the energy hierarchy set out in Policy ENV11; or

4. For a replacement dwelling that is not temporary in nature provided that:

1. The size of the proposal would be appropriate to the plot; and
2. It would not be visually intrusive in the landscape or harm the character and local distinctiveness of the rural area; or

5. Proposals for four net dwellings or fewer that provide dwellings of a number, size and type that meet an unmet need in the local area  provided that:

1. The need is clearly evidenced and locally agreed;
2. The site It is well related to the existing settlement and the local area where the need is arising and would not result in an isolated form of development; and
3. The development will respect the qualities of the local landscape and be sympathetic to its character and visual quality; and
4. The development will respect and relate to the character, form and appearance of surrounding development, and respect the amenities of the residents of neighbouring properties; or

6. For a new dwelling linked to an existing and viable agricultural, forestry, horse breeding and training, livery or equivalent rural business, where it can be shown that:

1. There is an essential need for the occupant to be on site at any time during any 24 hour period; and
2. No alternative suitable accommodation is available in the locality; and
3. The rural business linked to the proposed new building must have been viable for the previous three years; or

7. Allocated for development in a Neighbourhood Plan which has been ‘made’ by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

8. For the sub-division of an existing building provided that:

1. There would be no adverse impact upon the character or appearance of the area.