Rural worker dwellings advice note

The Council has produced an advice note that provides further information to assist applicants in addressing the requirements of Local Plan (Part Two) policy DM 25 Essential rural workers dwellings. It explains what information is needed to demonstrate that requirements set out in policy DM 25 will be met. Submission of this information will help avoid delays during the application process and increase the likelihood of a successful application.  

The advice note covers new temporary and permanent essential rural worker dwellings. It is aimed at those involved in preparing and submitting a relevant planning application and those involved in the determination of applications.

To help us to assess your planning application against the policy and avoid any delays, the following information should be included to support your application:

  • the size and nature of the current enterprise
  • the need for an additional worker on-site
  • (for a permanent dwelling) evidence that the unit and the rural land-based activity concerned:
    • has been established for at least three years
    • has been profitable for at least one of them
    • is currently financially sound (and has a prospect of remaining so)
  • evidence of a sequential approach to considering alternative locations including existing dwellings
  • or the reuse of an existing building
  • consideration of the location, size and design of the proposed new dwelling in the context of the

existing size, scale and layout of the farm buildings/enterprise

  • clear floorplans showing:
    • gross internal floorspace
    • clear demarcation of habitable and ancillary / additional accommodation

The Rural worker dwellings advice note explains all of these requirements in more detail.