Outline Planning Approval for a Replacement Dwelling in Green Belt
Outline planning permission for a replacement dwelling in the Green Belt within Brentwood Borough Council's area, overcoming Listed Building and openness concerns.
PLANNING APPROVALSBRENTWOODESSEXGREEN BELT
Andrew Ransome
6/6/20261 min read
In 2013, I secured outline planning permission for a replacement dwelling in Brentwood's Green Belt.
Securing planning permission for a new dwelling in the Green Belt is a challenging task.
This case involved a replacement dwelling on a site where the existence of a habitable building had to be established despite the absence of Council Tax records.
The key planning issues were threefold:
proving that a dwelling existed on the site;
managing the impact on the setting of adjacent listed buildings; and
demonstrating that the proposal would not harm the openness of the Green Belt or the adjacent Special Landscape Area.
A comprehensive evidence base was assembled to demonstrate the dwelling's historic presence and significant footprint on the site. Although the property was heavily overgrown, it was successfully argued that it had not become absorbed into the landscape and therefore retained its status as a dwelling.
This was supplemented by a sustainability appraisal, analysis of local precedents, and a housing need assessment.
Brentwood Borough Council granted planning permission, significantly increasing the value of the land for the client.
Planning Application Advice
If you have a development project in Brentwood or elsewere in the Green Belt and require expert planning advice, contact me to discuss how I can help secure planning permission and unlock your site’s potential.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
Planning Successes in the Green Belt
Planning Application Information
Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
© 2026. All rights reserved.