Where planning permission is required development proposals that support homeworking, such as the creation of workspace for home-run businesses will be supported where it can be achieved without significant impact on the built and natural environment and residential amenity.
Should the proposal include the creation of workspace for a home-run business and require the conversion of part of a dwelling, its outbuildings, or the development of new buildings within its curtilage, this development must be of an appropriate design and scale, reflecting the surrounding residential environment and does not compromise residential amenity.
Proposals for the development of new ‘live-work’ units will be supported. Proposals affecting the Green Belt will only be supported where they satisfy the exceptions set out in the NPPF subject to highways, access, design and amenity considerations
The ability for businesses to operate from home is increasing in importance and the coronavirus pandemic has illustrated the importance of the ability for people to work from home. Whilst current data on levels of homeworking across the area is not available, it is evident that it is becoming more popular.
Whilst some elements of home working may not require planning permission, as new home businesses are established and grow, they may require modest additions such as the conversion of outbuildings or small-scale new buildings within the curtilage of the dwelling. Policy EB9 therefore provides support for this development where it can be achieved without significant impact on the built and natural environment and residential amenity.
Policy EB9 also supports the provision of new build ‘live-work’ units, which are part living accommodation and part workspace where they are located within the settlement boundary, subject to highways, access, design and amenity considerations.
Supporting appropriate homeworking development will help deliver plan objectives 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8