Conversion of existing barn and outbuildings to a dwelling and creation of vehicular access and driveway

General Policy 3

General Policy 3: Development will not be permitted outside of those areas which are zoned for development on the appropriate Area Plan with the exception of: (a) essential housing for agricultural workers who have to live close to their place of work; (Housing Policies 7, 8, 9 and 10); (b) conversion of redundant rural buildings which are of architectural, historic, or social value and interest; (Housing Policy 11); (c) previously developed land (1) which contains a significant amount of building; where the continued use is redundant; where redevelopment would reduce the impact of the current situation on the landscape or the wider environment; and where the development proposed would result in improvements to the landscape or wider environment; (d) the replacement of existing rural dwellings; (Housing Policies 12, 13 and 14); (e) location-dependent development in connection with the working of minerals or the provision of necessary services; (f) building and engineering operations which are essential for the conduct of agriculture or forestry; (g) development recognised to be of overriding national need in land use planning terms and for which there is no reasonable and acceptable alternative; and (h) buildings or works required for interpretation of the countryside, its wildlife or heritage. 6.4 Planning Agreements 6.4.1 Where development is acceptable and in accordance with the provisions of this Plan and the relevant Area Plan, but raises issues which cannot be addressed by the imposition of planning conditions, the Department will seek to conclude an Agreement with the developer under Section 13 of the 1999 Town and Country Planning Act.

Housing Policy 4

Housing Policy 4: New housing will be located primarily within our existing towns and villages, or, where appropriate, in sustainable urban extensions (1) of these towns and villages where identified in adopted Area Plans: otherwise new housing will be permitted in the countryside only in the following exceptional circumstances: (a) essential housing for agricultural workers in accordance with Housing Policies 7, 8, 9 and 10; (b) conversion of redundant rural buildings in accordance with Housing Policy 11; and (c) the replacement of existing rural dwellings and abandoned dwellings in accordance with Housing Policies 12, 13 and 14. 8.5.6 The anticipated increase in the total number of dwellings on the Island over the Plan period is approximately 14%. By administering the programme of Area Plan preparation, the Department will ensure that there is sufficient land zoned for residential development to meet the overall housing requirement figure required by Housing Policy 1. The Department has resolved to prepare under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 four Area Plans which will concentrate upon larger areas of the Island. These will focus on the North, West, East and South of the Island and correspond with those areas discussed at paragraph 5.9 of the Spatial Strategy Chapter. 8.6 Affordable Housing 8.6.1 The Department is concerned about the increasing difficulties of securing the provision of affordable housing across the Island. The Department can, and does as a Housing Authority, intervene financially to provide financial support to local Authorities; financial support to prospective owner occupiers (through the House Purchase Assistance Scheme 2002) and by direct provision of new houses to rent. The provision of affordable housin g is a material consideration in the preparation of the development plan. In the current situation the Department considers that, to secure an adequate provision of affordable housing, it is appropriate to require that any area of land identified for hous ing purposes should include a contribution towards the provision of affordable housing. 8.6.2 There are currently around 1,584 (as at 31 st March 2007) households on the General Housing Waiting List. In addition, there are some 690 (as at 31 st March 2007) households registered with the Department under the House Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS). This indicates a total current need of some 2,274 households for affordable housing. (1) Sustainable Urban Extensions are defined in Appendix 1 8.6.3 In the current circumstances the Department considers that approximately 25 % of new housing provision should take the form of affordable housing. In assessing the appropriate percentage in each instance, the Department will have regard to the fact that the figure is a target over the Plan Period as a whole; to evidence of local housing need; to the nature of the land and viability of the scheme; and to the nature of existing adjacent housing. The 25% provision will be monitored and reviewed as part of any review of the Strategic Plan.

Housing Policy 11

The key issues to be assessed in the determination of this application are whether the proposed development complies with Housing Policy 11

Housing Policy 11: Conversion of existing rural buildings into dwellings may be permitted, but only where: (a) redundancy for the original use can be established; (b) the building is substantially intact and structurally capable of renovation; (c) the building is of architectural, historic, or social interest; (d) the building is large enough to form a satisfactory dwelling, either as it stands or with modest, subordinate extension which does not affect adversely the character or interest of the building; (e) residential use would not be incompatible with adjoining established uses or, where appropriate, land-use zonings on the area plan; and (f) the building is or can be provided with satisfactory services without unreasonable public expenditure. Such conversion must: (a) where practicable and desirable, re -establish the original appearance of the building; and (b) use the same materials as those in the existing building. Permission will not be given for the rebuilding of ruins or the erection of replacement buildings of similar, or even identical, form. Further extension of converted rural buildings will not usually be permitted, since this would lead to loss or reduction of the original interest and character. 8.10.3 Permission will be given in certain circumstances for the re-establishment of residential use where there is an abandoned dwelling, since such dwellings can sometimes have a negative impact, usually arising from the sense of dereliction and dilapidation. See Housing Policy 13 below. 8.11 Replacement Dwellings in the Countryside 8.11.1 There are in our countryside many existing dwellings, some of which contribute positively to its appearance and character, and some of which do not. A number of dwellings have been abandoned for many years; their physical remains being a reflection of agricultural and social change across the Island. They form features in the rural landscape which are often not unacceptable in their present state. It is appropriate to encourage change which would result in overall environment improvement, and to discourage change which would not. Where the building(s) concerned are of architectural merit or of local, historical or social interest demolition and replacement will be discouraged.