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Development Control Standards

Policy H4: For New Housing Developments

All new housing developments should be designed to a high standard. In particular, the Borough Council will require the following criteria to be met before granting planning permission:

1. Developments do not have any significant detrimental effect on the amenity of adjoining properties,

2. Developments provide an acceptable standard of residential amenity for the proposed occupiers,

3. Developments are compatible with the general character of the surrounding area, particularly in terms of their density, scale, height, proportion, architectural quality and detail, and the materials of construction,

4. Proposals, where appropriate, include suitable landscaping to help to ensure harmony with the surrounding landscape,

5. Developments do not have an adverse effect on the character or appearance of Conservation Areas, Areas of Environmental Character, listed buildings, or other important historic features or their settings.

6. A maximum of five dwellings are served by any single private drive.

7. The layout allows for access to development land outside the site which may be required in the future.

8. Proposals take into account important natural features within or adjacent to the site.

9. Development takes account of water and energy conservation measures,

10. Developments do not have a significant detrimental effect on the environment. In particular, the provision of adequate non-polluting foul drainage is essential. The use of main foul sewers will be required whenever possible.

11. Proposals do not cause flooding problems (see Policy NE11 ).

12. Proposals provide safe and satisfactory highway access to the site.

QUALITY OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

3.59 - The Borough Council has indicated elsewhere in this chapter how much new housing development will be required in the Borough over the plan period, and also where it should be located. However, the Council is also concerned that once the principle of new housing development has been established on a particular site, the detail of exactly how the site is developed is equally important.

3.60 - In order to guide prospective developers, whether they are developing single plots or large estates, this policy sets out the general standards which all new developments should meet in order to receive planning permission.

EFFECT ON OTHER PROPERTIES

3.61 - The Council will very carefully assess the effect that all new housing developments have on properties which adjoin the site. In this respect, care should be taken with the siting of dwellings, the arrangement of window openings and screening, so as to avoid overlooking and loss of light.

STANDARD OF RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT

3.62 - As well as considering the effect on adjoining properties, the Council will also need to be satisfied that the development provides a good standard of residential environment in itself, and this involves a number of considerations. Many of these are dealt with in the Council's approved policy on Layout of Residential Areas, which will be revised and updated for adoption as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the Local Plan.

3.63 - Satisfactory highway access will be required, normally to the County Surveyor's adoption standards for developments of more than five dwellings. The internal road layout of larger estates should be designed so as to reduce traffic speeds, and traffic calming measures may be required to improve pedestrian safety. Off street parking will be required within developments, to the standards set out in the approved policy on Layout, depending on the type of dwellings being built and the location. In town centre developments, for example, the Borough Council may be prepared to relax these standards for sites which are close to public car parks. Smaller scale developments should also provide sufficient manoeuvering space within the site.

3.64 - The layout of estates should be designed so as to maximise privacy and natural light between dwellings. Each dwelling unit should have a usable area of private garden, and developments should also provide or contribute towards the provision of open space, incorporating both informal and formal play space, in accordance with Local Plan policy.

Back to Section 2: General Housing Policies
Back to Local Plan 1996-2006
On to Section 3: Housing Development in Settlements