AGRICULTURAL AND
FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT
To give favourable consideration to
necessary agricultural, or forestry development which is appropriate
in scale and nature.
In recent decades there have been important changes in
the rural landscape. New agricultural practices have led to a change
from small traditional agricultural buildings, which tended to blend
readily into the rural landscape, to larger buildings which are now
often industrial in appearance. There are important issues to be
considered regarding the siting, design and materials of modern
agricultural buildings and their
impact on the rural landscape.
Some agricultural buildings do not require express planning
permission. Under the Planning (General Development) Order (NI)
1993, known as the GDO, certain developments for the purposes of
agriculture are permitted development. However, there is concern
regarding the apparent abuse of permitted development rights,
whereby buildings erected allegedly for agricultural purposes have
been used for
inappropriate non-agricultural activities.
The Department therefore proposes to carry out a review of the
planning controls over agricultural and forestry development.
Proposals for alterations to the General Development Order will be
subject to consultation with interested bodies. It is anticipated
that in the light of environmental concerns and the development of
policy in Britain and Europe some additional controls may be
required. The review will take into account the special operational
requirements involved and the Department will seek to avoid the
imposition of unnecessary burdens on the farming and forestry
industries. Much development in the agricultural and forestry
industries is likely to remain within the ambit of "permitted
development', after the Department's review.
New buildings or works for agriculture, horticultural or forestry
purposes which will require the express grant of planning permission
will normally be acceptable in rural areas provided the following
criteria are fulfilled:
- the proposal is appropriate in terms of scale,
location and nature;
- it has been demonstrated that the development is
requisite for the efficient use of the agricultural holding or
enterprise;
- where the proposal includes the erection of new
buildings that there are no suitable existing redundant buildings on
the holding which can be used. In all cases the applicant will be
required to show that renovation, alteration or redevelopment
opportunities do not exist;
- the development is not visually intrusive in the
local landscape and does not have an adverse impact on the natural
or manmade heritage;
- where possible the proposal is sited adjacent to
existing farm buildings and use is made of topography and existing
landscaping to screen the buildings. New buildings located away from
existing farm groupings are unlikely to be acceptable;
- the design of the building and the materials used
are sympathetic to the locality and blend with adjacent buildings;
- additional landscaping is provided as necessary;
- the proposal will not result in an unacceptable
loss in the amenity of residential units outside the holding
including potential problems arising from noise, smell and
pollution; and
- the development will not be detrimental in terms
of traffic generation or road safety.
Conditions may be applied to the grant of
permission requiring:
- use only for agricultural purposes; and
- adequate siting and landscaping and where
necessary
the use of specified materials and finishes.
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