HILLINGDON UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - London Borough ...

- the siting, design and external appearance of a proposed new agricultural
or forestry building and its relationship to its surroundings;
- the siting and means of construction of roads;
- the siting of those excavations or waste deposits which individually or
collectively exceed 0.5 hectares within the unit.
3.25 When agricultural and other rural buildings become redundant, proposals may be submitted for
conversion or new uses. In determining whether a particular building is redundant for agricultural purposes
the Local Planning Authority will be guided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, whose
general advice is that modern, purpose built agricultural buildings can rarely be considered to be redundant.
In determining the appropriateness of any proposals the Local Planning Authority will have particular
regard to the effect of any proposed use or building works on the building and its setting. Any conversion
scheme must be compatible with the essential character of the building concerned and capable of being
achieved with minimum impact on the landscape. Small-scale business uses are often more appropriate
than residential uses which tend to have a greater effect on the character of the building, but proposed uses
which would give rise to specific planning objections such as noise, smell, safety, intrusion into the
surrounding countryside or excessive traffic generation will not be acceptable.
OL14 THE CHANGE OF USE OR CONVERSION OF REDUNDANT AGRICULTURAL AND
OTHER RURAL BUILDINGS WILL BE ACCEPTABLE ONLY IF THE REDUNDANT
BUILDING IS SUBSTANTIAL AND ATTRACTIVE AND, WITH NORMAL REPAIR AND
MAINTENANCE CAN BE EXPECTED TO LAST FOR MANY YEARS. THE LOCAL
PLANNING AUTHORITY WILL JUDGE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF A SCHEME OF
CONVERSION AND/OR ALTERNATIVE USE HAVING REGARD TO:-
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
THE EFFECT OF ANY BUILDING CONVERSION WORK AND OTHER
DEVELOPMENT NEEDED UPON THE CHARACTER, APPEARANCE OR SETTING
OF THE BUILDING OR THE AREA IN WHICH IT IS LOCATED; AND
WHETHER THE NEW PROPOSED ACTIVITY WOULD DISTURB THE AMENITIES
OF THE AREA.
WHERE THE BUILDING IS LOCATED WITHIN THE GREEN BELT THAT IT
ACCORDS WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF POLICIES OL1-OL3.
3.26 Buildings which have become derelict or are beyond beneficial use without works requiring
planning permission do not fall within the scope of this policy which provides for re-use of existing
buildings rather than the reconstruction of former buildings. Extensions to redundant buildings in the
Green Belt in order to facilitate their re-use will not normally be permitted.
Countryside Conservation Areas
3.27 Within certain areas of the Borough, where traditional agricultural land uses have continued to
the present day, there remains a traditional agricultural landscape made up of a diverse matrix of small
fields, hedges, copses, woods and farm ponds. These landscapes, which have been identified by the
London Ecology Unit as Countryside Conservation Areas (see Glossary for definition), have considerable
visual and aesthetic appeal. However, as agricultural practices change, and as land is taken out of
agriculture, the elements which make up the character and local distinctiveness of such landscapes often
come under threat. The Council recognises the value of three such landscapes within the Borough, and
intends to retain their salient features wherever possible. Unfortunately although some aspects of
agricultural development can be controlled, many activities which can change the character of such
landscapes, such as hedgerow removal and tree felling, do not normally require planning permission. In
such cases, when the Council becomes aware of potential activities which may detract from the landscape
in the three Countryside Conservation Areas, it will attempt to protect the landscape through persuasion,
discussion and advice. The Council will also attempt to set a good example of land management on its
own land holdings within these areas:-
London Borough of Hillingdon Unitary Development Plan