Justification for residential accommodation with non-agricultural business enterprises

Established non-agricultural business enterprises, located in the countryside, may require residential accommodation for operational or other reasons. However, as most parts of the countryside area in Belfast are generally close and accessible to settlement, such requirements are considered to represent exceptional cases. Applicants must provide sufficient information to show that there is a site specific need which makes it essential for an owner/employee to live at the site – including why, where a business has been operating satisfactorily without residential accommodation, now needs such accommodation. It should be noted that the need to provide improved security from theft and/or vandalism is unlikely on its own to warrant planning permission for onsite residential accommodation.