New planning guidelines outlined for building in the countryside (From Smallholder)
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New planning guidelines outlined for building in the countryside
5:50pm Monday 20th July 2009
Changes to planning guidance that will improve access to affordable homes, create a sustainable rural economy and introduce one planet communities were announced by Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister Jane Davidson today (15 July).
Technical Advice Notice 6, which provides local planning authorities with advice on how the planning system can be used to support sustainable rural communities, is being reviewed to provide more opportunities for new affordable housing for local people and to broaden the scope of essential dwellings.
Minister Jane Davidson said: “This is a key One Wales commitment which looks at identifying opportunities for affordable housing for local people while helping to diversify the rural economy.
I am pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government can use the planning system to bring about sustainable development and achieve One Planet living”.
“TAN 6 is about meeting the needs of rural areas, ensuring that local people have access to affordable housing and employment and helping to attract young people into farming by providing opportunities to build a second house on an established farm”.
Ms Davidson urged people to take part in the consultation, which is a significant change to planning guidance for rural areas.
“I want planning guidance that supports living and working rural communities that are economic, socially and environmentally sustainable,” added Ms Davidson.
The new TAN builds on the initial consultation Planning Policy Changes to Support Sustainable Development in Rural Areas – Meeting Housing Needs which was undertaken by the Assembly Government last year.
It will encourage the 22 local and three national park authorities, which are responsible for preparing Local Development Plans and deciding planning applications, to work collaboratively with rural communities to identify opportunities for affordable housing and to diversify of the rural economy.
TAN 6 will broaden the scope of the existing agriculture and forestry essential dwellings policy to a wider range of rural enterprises, which are now called rural enterprise dwellings.
It also provides details of the information that must be provided to justify a rural enterprise dwelling.
It will encourage new entrants into farming by making it easier for them to build a second home on an established farm. This will allow a younger person to manage or work part-time on the farm while allowing an older farmer who may want to retire or work part-time to stay in the family home.
The guidance also supports the Assembly Government’s Sustainable Development Scheme by encouraging developments, One Planet Developments that have a very low environmental impact of less than 1.88 global hectares per person.
Notes to editors: The consultation is available on the Welsh Assembly Government web site and can be found at http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/?lang=en Copies are also available by contacting: Planning Policy Branch Planning Division Welsh Assembly Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3 NQ Tel:029 2082 3107 Email:planning.division@wales.gsi.gov.uk
