§ Lord Plumb asked Her Majesty's GovernmentWhether their priority to encourage development on brownfield sites extends to rural locations, for example redundant farm buildings; and, if so, whether they are satisfied that the local planning and highways authorities have been given clear guidance to this effect. [HL4397]
§ The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker)National planning policies expect local authorities to give priority to reusing previously-developed land where this supports sustainable development. Agricultural land and farm buildings are excluded from the definition of previously-developed land given in planning policy guidance but the reuse of redundant agricultural buildings where this supports sustainable development is encouraged. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has recently issued for public consultation a draft of a new planning policy statement (PPS7) concerning sustainable development in rural areas. This promotes the productive reuse of existing rural buildings where this is consistent with other planning policies.