Justification and Amplification (Paragraphs 5.46-5.49)

The Government is committed to supporting the process of farm diversification where it is compatible with other objectives for the countryside. This policy aims to promote forms of diversification that are sustainable in the countryside, including suitable tourism or agri-tourism schemes. It is important that the countryside is not spoilt by the unfettered development of urban uses. Diversification proposals, therefore, should be of a scale and nature appropriate for the location and be capable of satisfactory integration into the rural landscape. Applications for large-scale proposals more suitable to the urban area or existing urban-based enterprises seeking relocation will not be acceptable. Where a new building is proposed, the applicant will be required to provide sufficient information to satisfactorily demonstrate why existing buildings cannot be used. For the purposes of this policy the determining criteria for an active and established business will be that set out under Policy CTY 10.