Stronger Rural Areas

It is a policy of the council that they consider proposals from prospective applicants in need of housing within an area defined as Stronger Rural Area, , where the applicant can demonstrate that they comply with one or more of the following;

• Persons whose primary employment is in a rural based activity with a demonstrated genuine need to live in the locality of that employment base e.g agriculture, forestry
• Persons with a vital link to the rural area by reason of having lived in this community for a substantial period of their lives (7 years minimum), or by the existence in the rural area of long established ties (7 years minimum) with immediate family members, or by reason of providing care to a person who is an existing resident (7 years minimum)
• Persons who for exceptional health circumstances can demonstrate a genuine need to reside in a particular rural location

Please note; the policy shall not apply where an individual has already had the benefit of a permission for a dwelling on another site, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated.

New holiday home developments will not be permitted in these areas.

Structurally Weak Rural Areas

It is a policy of the council to consider proposals for new one off housing within structurally weak from any prospective applicants with a need for a dwelling house, provided that they can comply with all other relevant policies of this plan.

New Holiday homes will not be permitted in these areas.

Areas Under Strong Urban Influence

It is a policy of the council to consider proposals for new one off rural housing within areas under strong urban influence from prospective applicants that have demonstrated a genuine need for a new dwelling house and who can provide evidence that they, or their parents or grandparents, have resided at some time within the area under strong urban influence in the vicinity of the application site for a period of at least 7 years.

New holiday homes will not be permitted in these areas.