4. 4. To ensure that new homes permitted through this policy remain available to meet the need outlined in the permission, conditions or legal agreements may be attached to any permission. These conditions will remove permitted development rights to control its occupancy for the purpose demonstrated through the planning application. Permitted development rights will also be removed to limit the size of the home and cause unnecessary harm to the Green Belt.

Explanation

356. There may be instances where new homes need to be provided in the Green Belt to meet the needs of agricultural workers. In some circumstances this could be considered appropriate development under the NPPF. This policy sets out how such proposals will be assessed. It is important that Green Belt principles are not undermined through unnecessary built development. Therefore, any proposal for agricultural dwellings will be required to meet the relevant criteria set out in this policy.
357. When determining these types of applications, a functional test will be required to assess whether there is an essential need for a worker to live on site. This should demonstrate that it is essential for workers to provide care at short notice or to deal with emergencies that could otherwise cause the loss or damage of crops or livestock. Further to this, new permanent homes will only be permitted to support well-established agricultural enterprises. To determine this, a financial test will be required to allow the council to assess the viability of the enterprise.
358. While it is recognised that a large proportion of the borough is in the Green Belt, most farming enterprises are reasonably accessible to the existing urban area. Given this, applicants will also need to demonstrate that there is a need for an on-site presence, that could not be made by alternative accommodation in the local area.
359. The policy also allows consideration to be given to agricultural enterprises which are not yet well established. These may be new enterprises or where there is some uncertainty over the financial basis of the enterprise. In these instances, proposals will still be expected to provide evidence to meet both the financial and functional tests and the other criteria set out in the policy.
360. Occupancy restrictions will only be removed where applicants have demonstrated that there is no longer a demand for the property to be used in connection with the permitted need. If occupancy restrictions are removed, the dwelling will need to show how it is fully compliant with the remaining housing policies in this chapter.