Building on green belt?

[greggie87]

Hi, hope all are well!

Just a little request. We have 12 acres of land near Godalming in Surrey. We need to build a family home hopefully rather than upscaling due to my new unexpected one! It is the ideal location near to the train station, next door to the school etc. it is on the same road as the waste disposal site that has been recently expanded (the one on top gear the other week).

Does anyone know any information on how to go about this, or put us in contact with anyone who can help?

Thanks in advance!

[barryrs]

It will be difficult.

Government guidance states that the construction of new buildings should be regarded as “inappropriate” for the green belt, although there are exceptions:

A local planning authority should regard the construction of new buildings as inappropriate in Green Belt. Exceptions to this are:

• buildings for agriculture and forestry;

• provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation and for cemeteries, as long as it preserves the openness of the Green Belt and does not conflict with the purposes of including land within it;

• the extension or alteration of a building provided that it does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building;

• the replacement of a building, provided the new building is in the same use and not materially larger than the one it replaces;

• limited infilling in villages, and limited affordable housing for local community needs under policies set out in the Local Plan; or

• limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed sites (brownfield land), whether redundant or in continuing use (excluding temporary buildings), which would not have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development.

[Davel]

Go to your local Council and talk to a Planning Officer for advice / comment.

Most are pretty helpful if you ask them for advice.