Replacement of Buildings in the Rural Areas

5.17 The replacement of suitably located, existing buildings in the rural areas for economic development purposes (defined as light industrial and office uses and, where appropriate, limited small scale storage) will be supported where this would result in a more acceptable and sustainable development than might be achieved through conversion. For example, the replacement building would bring about an environmental improvement in terms of the impact of the development on its surroundings and the landscape. Where no such improvement is made, then proposals for the replacement of the building in question will be resisted. Proposals will be judged on their own merits to determine whether or not the building for replacement is suitably located, taking into account the nature of the proposed economic re-use, the level of activity associated with the proposed use and its potential impact on the character and appearance of the countryside.

POLICY RU5: REPLACEMENT OF BUILDINGS IN THE RURAL AREAS

The replacement of existing buildings in the rural areas for economic development purposes will be supported subject to satisfying all of the following criteria:

• i) the replacement building will result in a more acceptable and sustainable development than might be achieved through conversion;
  ii) the nature and intensity of the proposed use would be compatible with its rural location;
  iii) proposals which would be likely to create a significant number of jobs should be well located in relation to towns and villages and/or be readily accessible by public transport;
  iv) the volume of the replacement building would not be greater than that of the building to be replaced with the addition of any remaining permitted development rights and the curtilage of the development is not greater than the existing curtilage.

Buildings which have become so derelict, have been abandoned or are otherwise incapable of adaptation or re-use will not be considered favourably for replacement.