Proposals for the conversion or change of use of existing buildings in the Green Belt will be permitted provided they meet all the following criteria:
a) The proposals would not have a materially greater impact than the present use on the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land in it;
b) The building is of permanent and substantial construction and major reconstruction would not be necessary to accommodate the proposed development;
c) Any intrinsic architectural qualities of the building itself would be preserved or enhanced;
d) All building work involved would be in keeping with its surroundings, respecting local building styles and materials;
e) Any associated vehicular access routes, boundary treatments, utility services, gardens, storage or vehicle parking areas would be provided without harming the appearance of the surrounding area;
f) In the case of buildings which may be used by bats, barn owls or other protected species, the possible presence of such species must be investigated and where appropriate, measures must be implemented to ensure that any damage to habitats is minimised’
g) Where the change of use is associated with farm diversification the proposal would not lead to the subsequent fragmentation of the agricultural unit by separate sale of the building;
h) There would not be an unacceptable impact on the amenity of existing neighbouring occupiers;
i) The traffic generated would not be detrimental to either highway safety or environmental quality; and
j) The applicant has satisfactorily demonstrated that conversion of the redundant building would not produce displacement of activity and then the requirement for a new building to accommodate that activity.
k) In the case of a building erected in the last 4 years evidence has been submitted which satisfactorily shows that the building was legitimately required for and used for a substantial time for agricultural purposes.
