Policy 11 -- Principal Residences

 

Purpose: To safeguard the sustainability of the settlement and to ensure that the community is not irreparably eroded through excessive number of properties that are not occupied on a permanent basis.

 

Proposals for (i) new market dwellings, (ii) any new replacement dwelling, and extensions over 40% of the original floor area (% issue to be further considered) will only be supported when it can be demonstrated that a planning condition and supporting Section 106 legal agreement will be imposed to guarantee that such dwellings will be the occupants’ sole or main residence where the residents spend the majority of their time when not working away from home. This section 106 agreement will appear on the Register of Local Land Charges.

 

New build unrestricted second homes or holiday lets will not be supported at any time. When planning permission is required, proposals for the change of use of C3 (dwelling houses) of existing or new market dwellings (including any new dwellings on a site which have replaced a single property) to a furnished holiday let (Sui Generis) will not be supported.

 

Occupiers of homes with a Principal Residence condition or obligation will be required to maintain proof that they are meeting the condition / obligation, and will need to provide this proof as and when required by the Local Planning Authority. Proof of Principal Residence will be via verifiable evidence which could include for example (but not limited to):

  • residents being registered for and attending local services (such as healthcare, schools etc),
  • evidence of belonging to and attending local groups, utility bills, driving licence or other means of identity
  • Registration on the local Register of Electors will not be sufficient for this purpose.

 

The Parish Council will cooperate with the Local Planning Authority to monitor compliance with the restriction and in gathering and assessing evidence of any breach that may lead to enforcement action.

 

(Within this policy ‘Principal Residences’ are defined as those occupied as the residents’ sole or main residence, where the residents spend the majority of their time when not working away from home. The condition or obligation on new homes will require that they are occupied only as the principal residence of those persons entitled to occupy them).