Policy DM 55: Agricultural and land-based rural business development in the countryside

Planning permission will be granted for agricultural or forestry development on existing and new holdings, or development for the purposes of farm based and other land-based rural businesses (see Glossary) or diversification provided that:

• the proposals are necessary for and ancillary to the use of land for viable agricultural or land-based rural business purposes; and
• the re-use of existing buildings on the holding is given priority over new buildings; only where no suitable buildings are available will new development be acceptable;
• in the case of diversification proposals, there is sufficient certainty of long-term benefit to the farm business as an agricultural operation, that other rural businesses and the character and appearance of the countryside are not adversely affected; and
• the siting and design of the building respects its rural setting and does not harm the character of the landscape in accordance with policies DM 11 (Landscape) and DM 31 (High quality design and place making).

The council may condition the grant of such permission such that should agricultural use of a building cease within 10 years of its substantial completion then it should be removed from the land and the land restored to its former condition unless permanent permission is granted for a non agricultural use within 3 years of the date of the permanent cessation of the agricultural use.

Policy DM 56: Local food production /community orchards/ allotments

The provision of buildings associated with allotments, farmers' markets, community orchards, and farm shops will be supported provided that:

• the character and appearance of the countryside is not adversely affected; and
• the re-use of existing buildings is given priority over new buildings; only where no suitable buildings are available will new development be acceptable.

Proposals for the sale of locally grown produce and products will be permitted provided it is in accordance with Policy DM 69 (Garden centres and shops in the countryside).

Policy DM57: Equestrian development

Permission for equestrian development, both commercial and private, will be permitted provided that either individually or cumulatively:

• they do not harm the landscape character of the area;
• in areas at risk of flooding, the proposals pass the sequential test and can demonstrate through a flood risk assessment that they are safe and would not increase flood risk elsewhere;
• new buildings, shelters or arenas are located near existing farmsteads or groups of buildings. Developments in the open countryside will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrate that they take advantage of local topography and vegetation to be as inconspicuous as possible;
• the scale, design, colour and materials of any new buildings and other structures has regard for the rural settings (preferably of timber construction) and need to minimise light pollution in the countryside;
• there is no harm to identified wildlife or archaeological sites;
• proposals will need to demonstrate they can satisfy the requirements of Policy DM 24 (Safety, traffic and the provision of infrastructure); and
• sufficient routes are available nearby where riding activities can take place without conflicting with the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or with pre-existing outdoor activities.