Introduction
Rural settlements make an important contribution to the character and distinctiveness of the countryside. Every settlement has a particular identity that has evolved over many years and reflects a complex and unique interaction of social, cultural and physical factors. The countryside, however, including its intricate network of villages and hamlets, is not static and continues to evolve as a result of changes in the rural economy and agricultural practices as well as mounting pressures for new development. An increasing threat to the distinctive character of rural settlements is a uniformity or standardisation in the design of new development and the use of non-local and or inappropriate construction materials. If a key aspect of our national heritage is to be conserved there is an urgent need to safeguard the local character of rural settlements by ensuring that the design, density and construction of all new development respects and contributes, positively, to a settlement's visual appearance and unique sense of place.
The Countryside Commission (1996) formulated a methodology to allow the local community to address
this problem through the preparation of a village design statement: - "Making Local Character Count in New Development". The Countryside Commission believes that the rich and varied character of rural settlements is under increasing threat from standardisation and poor design. In the "Village Design"
Advisory Booklet - CCP 501 Part 1 1996, the Secretary of State for the Environment states - "Quality
is not a matter of taste. We should not seek to impose our taste. Taste is a matter of choice but quality is different. It relates to everlasting standards such as materials, space, proportion, and courtesy to neighbours. It is real not subjective".
The Planning Context
The planning system through the preparation of Development Plans and decisions on individual planning applications has a key role in encouraging and securing the good design of new development. Government policy and advice to Local Planning Authorities on design matters is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 1 - General Policy and Principles (PPG 1 February 1997). This strongly endorses the importance of good design both in terms of the appearance of an individual building and the relationship of a building to its surroundings.
"Good design should be the aim of all those involved in the development process and should be encouraged everywhere. Good design can help promote sustainable development; improve the
quality of the existing environment; attract business and investment; and reinforce civic pride and
a sense of place" – PPG1
The Development Plan framework of Structure and Local Plans primarily determines where different
types of development can take place. Policies, however, relating to the standards and quality that the design of new development is expected to meet and against which planning applications will be determined are also now being included within Local Plans. Although Local Plans can provide a level of detail on certain design issues, they cannot address the specific circumstances and individual needs of every settlement.
The Village Design Statement (VDS) seeks to bridge this gap and to describe in detail the character of a village or group of settlements and show how planned new development can protect and enhance the features that are most important to a village's character, appearance and sense of identity. The status of this document as Supplementary Planning Guidance increases its effectiveness because it forms an extension of the policies in the Newcastle-under Lyme Local Plan and, therefore, will be a material consideration in determining planning applications and appeals.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Local Plan 1986 - 2001
The Newcastle-under-Lyme Local Plan 2011 will replace the current Local Plan (adopted May 1995)
for the period up to 2011. This Plan contains three policies on design and one on development in the Green Belt, which are set out in the Appendix. The Green Belt policy precludes new residential
development in the Green Belt except for infill of "no more than 1 or 2 plots" within Keele Village.
Although the Plan is not yet adopted and its policies and proposals are not final, the policies in question are uncontroversial and, therefore, unlikely to change significantly in their adopted form. The Plan has no proposals for any new residential development in Whitmore Parish and only Baldwins Gate Village has a defined village envelope where the odd infill plot might be acceptable.
Aims of the Whitmore Parish Village Design Statement
The aims of the Whitmore Parish Village Design Statement are:
- To describe the distinctive character of the villages in the Parish and the surrounding countryside, and to state in clear terms how residents feel about the area in which they live, in order to influence and safeguard the character and design of future development.
- To show how character can be identified at three levels incorporating the landscape setting of
the village, the shape of the settlement and the nature of individual and groups of buildings.
- To draw up design principles based on the distinctive local character of the village to ensure that the design of new development is in harmony with its setting and makes a positive contribution
to the local environment and the sense of place of the Parish.
The document is likely to be of use to the following:
- Prospective developers when preparing planning applications and design briefs.
- The Borough and County Councils as the local planning authority in determining planning applications.
- The Parish Council when considering planning applications.
- Community groups seeking to comment on development proposals.
- Local residents wishing to undertake alterations or additions to their property.
- Planning Inspectors in determining planning appeals.
Scope
This document establishes a series of design guidance notes to ensure that any future development within and adjacent to the Parish of Whitmore is designed so that it maintains and where possible enhances the character and appearance of the local environment. For the purposes of design the principal settlements in the Parish are:
- Baldwins Gate and Madeley Park Wood.
- Whitmore Heath.
- Whitmore, Butterton and Acton Villages.
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