Kirdford Neighbourhood Development Plan - South Downs National ...

Kirdford NDP
Intention
A Person or persons seeking to purchase or rent a Work/Live Unit shall be required to
provide evidence of owning or managing a business, professional service or be selfemployed.
The intention of this policy is to ensure that where Work/Live Units are proposed, and if they
are to be permitted, that Work/Live Units do not give rise to unacceptable impacts on the
amenity of nearby residential occupiers.
Policy H.4 – Work/Live Units
The introduction of Work/Live Units (Sui Generis Use Class) incorporating A2 or B1 or
in exceptional circumstances small-scale B2 or B8 uses is considered beneficial in
providing sustainable growth within the Plan Area and will be supported wherever
possible. This includes the extension of existing residential properties where they are
in accordance with policies elsewhere in this Plan.
Where proposals for such units are to be located near to existing housing or sites
allocated for new residential development, any proposals that will give rise to any of
the following without the ability to provide sufficient mitigation, will be refused in the
interests of protecting residential amenity:
• Excessive noise associated with the general operation of the premises,
including visits by the general public.
• Excessive noise caused by any industrial processes on the premises.
• Disturbance caused by excessive traffic movement to and from the premises
and/ or the likelihood of instances of illegal parking.
In the instance that a small-scale B2 or B8 use is proposed and satisfies the tests set
out above, it would need to additionally demonstrate that it would not comprise any
open yard storage or working or processes likely to emit fumes or odours that cannot
be adequately dealt with by suitable extraction equipment.
Reasoned Justification
This policy will underpin the approach that Kirdford Parish Council will adopt for the delivery of
such units and the determination of planning applications in the Plan Area. It is justified by the
evidence base and by the need to control the use of such units and thereby mitigate potential
impacts. As Work/Live Units are a mixed use comprising residential and non-residential uses. It
is essential that such proposals demonstrate that they do not give rise to detriment to amenity.
Work/Live Units are a nationally growing type of dual use residential/workspace, and have an
existing presence in the Plan Area. Although most local examples represent the conversion of
existing buildings, such as garages and outbuildings, into office, workshop and storage space.
The units reflect the change in working patterns nationally in the private and even public
sectors, and the growth of home working, self-employment and small businesses start-ups.
New developments incorporating Work/Live Units are becoming more common, achieving their
sale prices and benefiting from quick sales underpinning their financial viability and demand.
The Parish Council’s Community Land Trust will work with and look to assist Registered
Providers with the funding for provision and delivery of such ‘affordable housing units’.
Conformity reference: NPPF core principle “1. Building a strong, competitive economy”; paras
17, 18-22, 28 & support 30. Details of Work/Live Units www.liveworknet.co.uk and examples
and sales site www.liveworkhomes.co.uk
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