The application site lies within the open countryside where it is the policy of the local planning authority to grant planning permission for new buildings only where there is no adverse effect upon the appearance or character of the landscape. The erection of new dwellings in rural locations would not normally be permitted unless they are proven to be essential in the interest of agriculture, being otherwise contrary to Strategy Policy 4 of the Leicestershire Structure Plan, Policy CT/7 of the Soar Valley Local Plan and Policy CT/11 of the Deposit Draft Borough of Charnwood Local Plan. Where dwellings are considered essential to fulfil the needs of agriculture or forestry, an occupancy condition is imposed to ensure the long-term availability of the dwelling for the purpose intended. The local planning authority is not satisfied that it has been demonstrated that there is no longer a long-term need for an agricultural/forestry dwelling in the locality to the extent that the alteration or removal of the condition would not prejudice the afore-mentioned policy. The land and buildings which constitute the horticultural unit and generated the need for this dwelling are still available and, in the view of the local planning authority, could continue to represent a viable agricultural unit. The local planning authority considers that the attempts to sell the property thus far have been based on unrealistic assessments of its value as an agricultural unit. Furthermore, the evidence put forward as part of this application of the attempts to sell or rent the dwelling to prospective occupiers able to comply with the occupancy condition amounts to little more than that put forward as part of the similar previous application in 1998 (ref. no. 98/0602/2). This failed to demonstrate that there was no longer an agricultural need for the dwelling in the locality . It was refused planning permission and the subsequent appeal was dismissed less than three years ago. To remov