South Ayrshire Local Plan

Rural Diversification Area

The Rural Diversification Area is rich in natural resources but has a dispersed population which has implications for the provision of services and creates different, and lower, development pressures than those experienced elsewhere in South Ayrshire. In general, this area comprises the southern part of South Ayrshire.

A reduced level of services and local facilities could pose a threat to the continued economic viability of some of the rural settlements. For these reasons, policies are tailored to encourage some rural housing, where there are existing clusters of homes, and by renewing the commitment to the availability of local services and employment in the most accessible locations and ensuring that the natural resources and environment are safeguarded.

STRATEGIC POLICY STRAT4
Development within the Rural Diversification Area will require to be justified, to the satisfaction of the Council, in terms of being:

A non residential use requiring a rural location due to its inappropriateness within a settlement; or
A non residential development with long term economic benefit; or
The non residential re-use of a structurally sound and substantially intact building, the retention and re-use of which would have positive environmental benefits to the locality; or
Residential development in compliance with policies H8, H9, H10, H11 and H12.

NOTE
measures to ensure property security for any new rural business will be encouraged in association with, and at the outset of any new business proposal