BUILDING IN THE GREEN BELT
These protected areas have strict rules around development. Martin Gaine looks at what projects are possible in the green belt and how to spot agood opportunity
When Marc Fierdorowicz applied for planning permission to convert a workshop within the green belt into a home, he engaged the skills of architect Allister Godfrey (
allistergodfrey.com) and planning consultant Michael Gilbert to make sure the it was successful. “Green belt policy normally precludes new dwellings in open countryside,” says Allister. “However, where there are substantial nondomestic buildings available for reuse, there can be exceptions.”
The main thing you to know about the green belt is that the government really doesn’t want you to build anything there. The National Planning Policy Framework, the document that contains planning policies for England, talks about the great importance of the green belt and is against development there except under very special circumstances.
We sympathise with the government’s aims – no-one wants uncontrolled building on the outskirts of towns spilling into the countryside – but where do the green belt restrictions leave you if you want to extend your home or if you’ve found the perfect site for your dream self build? Here I’m looking at what the green belt is and why it was first created, what planning restrictions there are in these locations and how you can maximise your chances of getting permission for your project.