PLANNING POLICIES
NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
The NFNPA adopted a new Core Strategy on 9th December 2010. New development outside the defined villages of Ashurst, Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst and Sway will be severely restricted. The limitations on redevelopment or extensions to existing dwellings are clearly spelt out in the Core Strategy.
Policy CP9: Defined Villages
The Authority will support small-scale development proposals to meet local needs, including employment, retail and community facilities within the four ‘Defined Villages’ of Ashurst, Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst and Sway provided that the proposals conform with other policies in the Core Strategy.
Policy CP12: New Residential Development
An additional 220 dwellings will be required within the New Forest National Park between 2006 and 2026. To meet this requirement, new residential development will be permitted within the National Park to maintain the vitality of local communities and support local services, where the proposal is:
a) within the defined New Forest villages set out in CP9; or
b) a replacement of an existing dwelling in accordance with Policy DP10; or
c) an extension to an existing dwelling in accordance with Policy DP11; or
d) an agricultural or forestry workers dwelling in accordance with PolicyDP13; or
e) affordable housing for local needs inaccordance with CP11.
Permission will not be granted for new residential caravans or mobile homes, except in accordance with Policy DP13.
Policy DP10: Replacement Dwellings
The replacement of existing dwellings will be permitted except where the existing dwelling:
a) is the result of a temporary or series of temporary permissions or the result of an unauthorised use; or
b) makes a positive contribution to the historic character and appearance of the locality.
A replacement dwelling may be sited other than in the same position as the dwelling to be replaced, providing that there are clear environmental benefits.
Caravans and mobile homes may not be replaced by permanent dwellings.
In the case of small dwellings, replacement dwellings must not result in a total habitable floorspace of 100 square metres, and in the case of other dwellings (not small dwellings) outside the defined villages the replacement dwelling should be of no greater floorspace than the existing dwelling. In exceptional circumstances, a larger dwelling may be permitted if it is essential to meet the genuine family needs of an occupier who works in the immediate locality. In respect of this exceptional circumstance, the maximum habitable floorspace of the replacement dwelling must not exceed 120 sq. metres.
Policy DP11: Extensions to Dwellings
Extensions to existing dwellings will be permitted provided that they are appropriate to the existing dwelling and its curtilage. In the case of small dwellings, the extension must not result in a total habitable floorspace exceeding 100 sq. metres, and in the case of other dwellings (not small dwellings) outside the defined villages the extension must not increase the floorspace of the existing dwelling by more than 30%. In exceptional circumstances a larger extension may be permitted: In respect of these exceptional circumstances, the maximum habitable floorspace of an extended small dwelling must not exceed 120 sq.metres. In the case of agricultural or forestry workers’ dwellings, the extension must not result in a total habitable floorspace exceeding 120 sq. metres. Extensions will not be permitted where the existing dwelling is the result of a temporary or series of temporary permissions or the result of an unauthorised use.
WILTSHIRE COUNCIL
For the area responsible to Wiltshire Council for planning, the primary polices for the majority of applications are HA2, D2 and D3, and are copied here:
Policy HA2
Within the New Forest villages of Bohemia, Hamptworth, Landford, Landford Common, Landford Wood, Lover, Nomansland and Redlynch, new residential development will be permitted within defined Housing Policy Areas provided that no more than one additional dwelling is created by either:
(i) the subdivision of an existing residential curtilage; or
(ii) the subdivision of an existing dwelling to form one additional dwelling; or
(iii) the infilling of a gap in a built-up frontage, provided that the gap is not substantially larger than adjoining residential curtilages; or
(iv) the change of use of an existing building.
Any proposals will also be subject to the following criteria:
(v) there will be no adverse impact on the character of the settlement;
(vi) there is no loss of an open area which contributes to the character of the area;
(vii) the loss of features such as trees, hedges and walls, which contribute to the character of an area, is kept to a minimum; and
(viii) the development will be in keeping with the character of neighbouring properties.
Policy D2
Infill development proposals for street and infill development will be permitted where proposals respect or enhance the character of appearance of an area in terms of the following criteria:
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the building line, scale of the area, heights and massing of adjoining buildings and characteristics building plot widths;
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the architectural characteristics and the type, colour and the materials of adjoining buildings; and
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the complexity and richness of materials, form and detailing of existing buildings where the character of the area is enhanced by such buildings and the new development proposes to replicate such richness.
Policy D3
Extensions to existing properties, or the development of ancillary buildings within their curtilages, will be permitted where:
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the proposal is compatible in terms of: the scale, design and character of the existing property and use of complementary materials; and
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the development is integrated carefully in relation to other properties and the overall landscape framework.