Replacement dwelling in Green Belt

6 July 2026

The MEP team was instructed to secure permission for a replacement dwelling and ancillary buildings within the 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝘁. Whilst this project may have initially been viewed as a straightforward farmhouse replacement, the reality was far more nuanced.

The proposals involved the demolition of two non-designated 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 and the new dwelling represented an increase of around 30% over the size of the existing dwelling, which significantly exceeded the local policy threshold of 20%. As such, the scheme may have been considered as inappropriate development in the Green Belt whilst also attracting heritage objections therefore representing policy conflict from the outset.
 
However, MEP successfully demonstrated that the proposals should be assessed against the site’s lawful and realistic baseline, highlighting the opportunity to comprehensively redevelop the existing developed core rather than considering the farmhouse in isolation. By carefully presenting the planning history and the wider context of the site, whilst demonstrating a full understanding of the historic significance of the site, the MEP team was able to show that the proposals represented a coherent and considered redevelopment of the farmstead, resulting in a positive outcome for our client.
 
The MEP team worked proactively with Wyre Forest District Council to obtain the positive result which was unanimously approved at Committee.
 
Another rewarding project demonstrating that even the most nuanced planning cases can achieve a positive outcome with the right approach.