AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION
To facilitate agricultural
diversification subject to normal planning considerations.
This policy has
been superseded by:
PPS4 - Industrial Development
insofar as SP8 applies to industrial
development.
Continued long-term rationalisation and
restructuring of the agricultural industry is inevitable,
particularly in response to the changing basis of the agricultural
policy of the European Community. Nevertheless most of the
countryside will continue to be farmed, even if many holdings will
provide only part-time employment.
Agricultural diversification offers
the possibility of maintaining or increasing farm income and
employment. Diversification could take a number of forms, not all of
which would require planning permission. Where permission is
required, the Planning Service will approve appropriate proposals
which do not have unacceptable impacts on the countryside. On-farm
employment. diversification involves the redeployment of farm
resources. The type of activities which could be developed include
value-added agricultural products, unconventional produce, forestry,
tourism and recreation - see policy AG3.
|