Development proposals must be well-designed and must respond positively to the character of the local area. To achieve this, development proposals must have full regard to the design strategy and coding as set out in the Sandleheath Design Guidance and Codes attached as Appendix A. The design, scale and appearance of development proposals must be relevant to their location and must preserve the significance of local heritage assets, locally important views and respect the rural character and discrete setting of the parish.
This policy idea is borne from the strong sense of ‘place’ which came through in the initial sessions with the Steering Group and the village walkabout, with residents wishing to see the look and feel of the existing village retained and ensure that any future development respects this in terms of design and layout. The policy idea also responds to a desire for development in the parish to be sustainable, emphasising the use more modern materials, techniques and styles which help homes to be more climate resilient, reduce energy consumption and promote a healthy community, in line with the Government’s Building for a Healthy Life Principles.
There are distinctive features of Sandleheath that shapes it character. These features are set out in the Sandleheath Design Guidance and Codes attached at Appendix A. The Code is an integral part of the policy but is extensive and the document is therefore attached as an Appendix for representational purposes only. It therefore carries the full weight of the development plan in decision making and is not subordinate or supplementary guidance carrying lesser weight.
The policy requires that applicants should demonstrate that they have full regard to the design principles and guidance the Code contains as relevant to the location of their proposals. The policy does not advocate pastiche or historic solutions; however, it is important that any new development demonstrates a connection with local character and place making. Where a proposal does not follow the requirements of the Code then the applicant will be obliged to justify why an exception should be made.
The Design Guidance and Codes also draws attention to a number of important local views, taken from places that are publicly accessible, well-used and regularly frequented by the local community and contain significant buildings and landscapes that help to define and enhance the character of the parish. Development proposals should pay particular attention to how the character and identity of Sandleheath is viewed through the landscape lens, to ensure that development proposals preserve or enhance the local character of the landscape or views of significant buildings in their design, demonstrating how they respond positively to the views and vista around the parish which the community value to help maintain the local distinctiveness of the parish and preventing development that will undermine the visual integrity of a number of key views that contribute to defining the tranquil and secluded character of Sandleheath.