Can I build a home on a plot of green belt land?

10 years ago, my parents replaced an old cottage in a green belt area with a small modern new build. They were told at the time that they had used up all permitted development rights on the land. Since then planning laws have changed and the vacant plot next door, of a similar size, has been granted consent for two detached four-bedroom houses.

My parents have now offered me half of their fairly large garden to build a property for my own family. In light of the new developments in the area, would it be possible to get the old planning restrictions lifted?

Whether or not permitted development rights exist to extend, or put up outbuildings in the garden of the new house, has little bearing on whether a new dwelling might be granted permission in the garden. e key question is whether planning policies have changed locally. e evidence of the development of the next door plot suggests they have. To test the waters, you could seek preapplication advice, just to establish whether a new property might now be allowed. If that comes back positive, you can get a design drawn up and move forward to a planning application.