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I was sitting in the bedroom earlier today researching around Green Belt Consultants and I drafted this post. What do you think about it? While a couple of houses in the countryside is very difficult to achieve, one can be slightly easier. (That’s easier - but far from easy). That’s because the National Planning Policy Framework has a clause – clause e) of Paragraph 79 – for one-off isolated homes. The catch is that they have to be ‘of exceptional quality’ and ‘innovative or outstanding.’ Isolated new houses in the countryside require special justification - for example, where they are essential to enable farm or forestry workers to live at or near their place of work. An isolated new house in the countryside may also exceptionally be justified if it is clearly of the highest quality, is truly outstanding in terms of its architecture and landscape design, and would significantly enhance its immediate setting and wider surroundings. The green belt architect recognises the importance of indoor environmental quality for affecting how an individual feels in a space and focuses on features such as a healthy indoor environment with adequate ventilation, temperature control, and the use of materials that do not emit toxic gases. Over the past year various think tanks, academics and policy commentators have considered whether green belt boundaries around London should be relaxed in order to ease the housing crisis. Their proposals often suggest the release of green belt land within easy walking or cycling distance of railway stations, land which could provide space for upwards of one million homes. Sites within the Green Belt have significant, but not insurmountable, restrictions and you are always advised to seek professional advice when considering any development within the Green Belt. Green buildings are not easily defined. Often known as 'sustainable buildings' or 'eco-homes', there is a range of opinion on what can be classed as a 'green'. However, it is generally agreed that green buildings are structures that are sited, designed, built, renovated and operated to energy efficient guidelines, and that they will have a positive environmental, economic and social impact over their life cycle. Paragraph 90 of the NPPF identifies that the re-use of buildings within the Green Belt is not inappropriate provided they preserve the openness of the Green Belt, do not conflict with the purposes of including land within it and the buildings are of permanent and substantial construction. The media might paint Britain as a land of pavement and urban sprawl, but in fact, the opposite is true. Britain is still a green and pleasant land without vast swathes of concrete. Only 10.6% of England is actually built upon, and if you take the whole of the UK, this figure drops further to 6.8%. Many green belt architects are RIBA Chartered Architectural and RTPI Chartered Planning practices. Their teams include Chartered architects, architectural designers and technologists who offer dynamic design and delivery schemes on a wide range of projects. A lot of green belt consultancy practices also work collaboratively with other industry leading specialists. Issues of usability and practicality inform their approach and have increasingly led to an appreciation of the need for an integrated, consensus based, design process. An understanding of the challenges met by Green Belt Planning Loopholes enhances the value of a project. ==A Climate Safety Belt== There are different options for the future of the Green Belt that do not destroy it, but rather accommodate it in a different relationship with the city. In the context of rapid and potentially disastrous climate change, the Green Belt offers a reservoir of potential. Sustainable architecture is reflected in a building's materials, construction methods, resource use and design in general. The design must also facilitate sustainable operation during the building life cycle, including its ultimate disposal. International governments, regulatory bodies and the public have recognised the necessity to act and the market demands ever higher levels of environmentally and socially sustainable development. Proposals for new development related to agriculture and forestry on the green belt will usually be supported where it is demonstrated to be reasonably necessary to sustain the agricultural unit or forestry enterprise. As the need for land for housing to accommodate a growing population meets resistance from rural communities anxious to preserve the amenity of their areas, it is becoming a contentious policy. Is the Green Belt beginning to strangle the growth of the city? Highly considered strategies involving Architect London may end in unwanted appeals. Architects specialising in the green belt mean it when we say it’s all about you and your future happiness. Like you, they believe life is for living. So, let them build you a home that helps you do that to the very best of your ability. Greenbelt policy goals have become increasingly multifunctional and are expected to fulfill more objectives than ever before. The role and function of greenbelts are under increasing pressure to be “all things to all people.” Architects that specialise in the green belt begin with research. The first step is to carry out an inspection of the site to determine the natural conditions and constraints that should be taken into account. This is also the time to check on local authority regulations and requirements or meet with relevant persons to discuss your particular project. To estimate a figure for accessible land on the green belt, railway or underground stations are used to signal accessibility. This allows for infrastructure and services as well as the protection of highly amenable land. It’s not unusual for a green belt project to require the input of other consultants at some point during its progress. A green belt architect will advise you on the required steps to ensure compliance with the law relating to construction work and the need where necessary for specialist advice. Following up on Green Belt Land effectively is needed in this day and age. ==Architecture Green Belt Design And Planning== The Green Belt is a planning policy designation that is used to control the development of land around a built-up area. Its function is to prevent urban sprawl. The extent of the Green Belt in a local area will be set out on a ‘Proposals Map’ accompanying a local planning authority’s adopted development plan document. Any rethinking of Green Belt land therefore also needs to be accompanied by a sophisticated strategy for sustainable development. Decisions regarding the future of Green Belt land are strategic in nature and should be embedded into regional spatial strategies. For this, regional planning is an essential but missing ingredient. Designers of homes for the green belt have a particular interest in working with existing structures by creating contemporary architecture that enhances the site's historic environment. There are certain types of development which can be considered to be acceptable in Green Belt locations, as they do not conflict with the purpose of including land within the Green Belt. Such exceptions can include but are limited to the replacement of a building within the same use or the re-use of an existing building, agricultural or forestry development, infill development, outdoor recreation, affordable housing and extensions which are not considered disproportionate. It is necessary to prevent the proliferation of new dwellings in the Green Belt and, as a general rule, an applicant for a new dwelling must demonstrate that there is a real need to live in the Green Belt by virtue of the nature of the employment. If the dwelling is for agricultural purposes then the application should be supported by evidence of need from an agricultural development consultancy. Designing around New Forest National Park Planning can give you the edge that you're looking for. In some cases, the local authority of an area will have a desire to build on Green Belt land. This may be because of an increased demand for housing. Typically, there have been a couple of ways that developers can do this. The first is by actually getting rid of or replacing parts of the Green Belt. The other way that an authority or developer may build on Green Belt land is by redeveloping existing built on land such as farming or industrial buildings. Some architects specialising in the green belt have assembled an industry-leading team of highly qualified professionals to create an exceptional full-service practice. In order to meet the Green Belt planning test, a design should be truly outstanding or innovative, helping to raise standards of design more generally in rural areas, reflect the highest standards in architecture, significantly enhance its immediate setting and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area. Therefore, the LPA and the Planning Inspectorate will consider your schemes against these criteria. There are 14 Green Belt areas in England, and one around Cardiff in Wales with two more areas proposed in Wales. National planning policy for Green Belt can be found in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England and in Planning Policy Wales (PPW). When vetting green belt projects, some local councils prioritise high-quality design and ‘impact' rather than strict adherence to cubic volume; some councils are less prescriptive on outbuildings or extension sizes depending on the size of the plot, so local expertise is absolutely indispensable – otherwise applying is a bit of a shot in the dark. Clever design involving Net Zero Architect is like negotiating a maze. ==Buildable Potential== Rural areas support a dynamic and diverse economy that employs over 5 million people and makes a significant contribution to the national economy. Agriculture lies at the heart of this economy and it supports many spin-off enterprises - from recreation to retail outlets. From design, feasibility study, and planning, architects with experience of working on green belt properties give utmost care attention to the smallest details. New Buildings and extensions relating to the use of land for commercial activities appropriate to a rural area and which are not harmful to the Green Belt are likely to be acceptable in principle by some councils. Uncover additional insights on the topic of Green Belt Consultants at this Open Spaces Society article. Related Articles: Extra Insight On Net Zero Architects More Background Information With Regard To Green Belt Planning Consultants Further Insight On Green Belt Consultants Additional Insight With Regard To Architects Specialising In The Green Belt Background Findings About Green Belt Architectural Businesses Supplementary Information With Regard To Architectural Consultants Specialising In The Green Belt |
