How do I find out if my site is within the green belt?
You can find out if your site is within the South Bedfordshire Green Belt by visiting our interactive map.
- find the property/site you are interested in
- view in the ‘My Maps’ tab
- expand the ‘Local Plan’ map categories and then select ‘South Green Belt’ or ‘North Green Belt’
- If your property is within the Green Belt, your property will be washed over with the colour green
How are development proposals in the green belt considered?
Policy SP4 within Section 8 of the Local Plan for Central Bedfordshire sets out our policy position for assessing development within the Green Belt. Further guidance to support this position is set out in Section 13 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Extensions to buildings in the green belt
Applications for extensions or alterations to buildings in the Green Belt will normally be unacceptable where this would result in disproportionate additions over the size of the original building, or harm to the openness of the Green Belt.
Disproportionate additions
Extensions or alterations resulting in a cumulative increase in floorspace and footprint (measured externally) of more than 60% over the original building will normally be considered disproportionate. The bulk and massing of an extension or alteration, including the roof form, will also be considered against the scale of the original building.
When determining the footprint and floorspace increase, all previous additions to the original building (defined in the NPPF as a building as it existed on 1 July 1948 or, if constructed after 1 July 1948, as it was built originally) including residential outbuildings within 5m of a dwelling will be taken into account, regardless of whether these were implemented by the current owner or through the exercise of permitted development rights. The cumulative total of footprint and floorspace increase will therefore be assessed in considering new extensions or alterations.
Loft conversions/dormers
Any proposed habitable floorspace facilitated by dormer windows will count towards the cumulative floorspace calculations.
Outbuildings
For the purposes of Green Belt policy, a residential outbuilding will be classed as an extension providing it is located within 5m of the main dwellinghouse on the site. In these circumstances, the outbuilding will count towards the total footprint and floorspace of the dwelling and must still not result in an increase in the floorspace of more than 60%.
Similarly, the floorspace of existing outbuildings within the curtilage of a dwelling that may be proposed to be removed will not be taken into account in assessing the percentage increase in floorspace unless they were built at the same time as the original dwelling and are within 5m of the dwelling.
The erection of any residential outbuildings more than 5m from the main dwelling is unlikely to be classed as an ‘extension’ and therefore would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt and will not be supported.
Increases in ridge height
Increases in ridge height, apparent bulk of roof and/or replacement of a storey at least partially contained in the existing roof, by a full storey will normally be considered to adversely affect the openness of the Green Belt.
Replacement buildings
Applications for replacement buildings in the Green Belt will normally be unacceptable where the replacement would be materially larger than the original building on the site or would result in harm to the openness of the Green Belt.
Material increase
When considering whether a replacement building is materially larger than the one it replaces, the floorspace of existing outbuildings within the curtilage of a building will not be taken into account in assessing the size of the original building unless they were built at the same time as the original building and are within 5m of the building.
The assessment of whether a replacement building is materially larger than the one it replaces will be by reference to size. The physical dimension most relevant for the purposes of assessing relative size of buildings will depend on the circumstances of the case.
In most cases, footprint and floorspace will be the starting point, and a replacement building resulting in an increase in footprint and floorspace will normally be considered materially larger. However, depending on the facts of the case, the assessment of whether a replacement building is materially larger may take into account other measures including volume, footprint, height, width and depth and will include consideration of any proposed basement levels.
No potential for permitted development will be considered. The impact of replacement buildings on the openness of the Green Belt will be considered in relation to the design, siting within the plot and general location of the proposed building. If a replacement building is proposed in a different location to the existing, it will be necessary to demonstrate that there is no increase in the overall visual impact of the building in the landscape. A scheme of remediation of the original house site will also be required and will be linked by condition or legal agreement to any replacement building.
Permitted development rights for extensions and outbuildings may be removed from replacement buildings in the Green Belt to prevent future additions that may cumulatively impact on openness of the Green Belt.