Policy SC3 – Promoting good quality design

Support

Representation ID: 4539

Received: 23/11/2023

Respondent: Stewart MacDonald

The design quality of new houses needs to be improved to move away from identikit estates of low build quality designed purely to maximise profit for the developer.

Support

Representation ID: 4997

Received: 02/01/2024

Respondent: Define (on behalf of William Davis Homes)

As a champion of high quality design, WDH supports the intention of Policy SC3. It is noted, however, that the use of the word “compact development” within requirement 2a of the policy is unusual and perhaps would be better phrased as “development at an appropriate density.”

Moreover, requirement 6 states that all major development should demonstrate compliance with Manual for Streets, Building for a Healthy Life and Streets for a Healthy Life. There are quite significant overlaps between those documents and, therefore, RCC should consider whether such requirements would unduly burden the potential delivery of development.

Object

Representation ID: 5101

Received: 03/01/2024

Respondent: Natural England

Reference should be made within this policy of the Natural England's GI Planning and Design Guide which complements the National Model Design Code and National Design Guide and will help to inspire the creation of healthier, nature-rich, climate resilient and thriving places to live, learn, work and play. We suggest that the GI design guide should be included in the list of supporting evidence.
In section 2a we support the provision for walking and cycling but suggest there is a strong link to Green Infrastructure.

Support

Representation ID: 5203

Received: 03/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Frank Brett

Supported in general,. However, there is a mention of renewable energy in the first paragraph but apparently not in the detailed bullets. I suggest an explicit reference is made under the 5th bullet.

Support

Representation ID: 5303

Received: 03/01/2024

Respondent: Mary Cade

How the policy relates to renewable energy needs to be specifically detailed in point 5.
Section 2a should highlight linking walking and cycling provision to Green and Blue Corridors/Infrastructure.

Support

Representation ID: 5509

Received: 05/01/2024

Respondent: Ms Janet Taylor

Generally support, but we must not be so rooted in the preservation of the past that we do not allow good modern design. Georgian design was different from Tudor, Victorian different from Georgian, architecture evolves and we should encourage modern design using modern methods of construction. Our identikit new housing estates are delivering dull developments, no different from hundreds of others around the country.

Support

Representation ID: 5870

Received: 06/01/2024

Respondent: RCC Expert Panel on Carbon Reduction

Section c) should add “include trees and other natural elements such as water, and cross reference to Green Blue Infrastructure and storm water attenuation.”
They should be integrated into shape and character of the development through the use of swales, rain gardens and ponds. The Cambridgeshire Local Plan emphasises the important links between GBI and biodiversity, with many good examples.

Support

Representation ID: 5984

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: Jane Ellis

Planning enforcement is key

Support

Representation ID: 5985

Received: 07/01/2024

Respondent: Jane Ellis

Planning enforcement is key

Object

Representation ID: 6601

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)

Agent: Montagu Evans LLP

Policy SC3 is supported, but comments are made in relation to Part 2 of the policy on the approach to designing streets and spaces within developments. The thrust of policy is supported as the design matters outlined are intended to lead to the creation of high-quality spaces, however, it is important to consider these within a practical context and the ability for such an approach to be supported by the local highway authority without leading to significant financial payments to support the adoption of streets and spaces.

Support

Representation ID: 6614

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Mr Martin Lester

Re point 2a: Housing developments should include a through road that is capable of being accessed by a minibus service.
A development that consists solely of cul-de-sacs designed for car only access is not one that encourages sustainable travel.

Object

Representation ID: 7263

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Manton Parish Council

(2a) Use of active and public transport is not only an issue relating to the design of the development. It has more to do with the location of the site, the availability of safe roads, cycle tracks and footpaths and the availability of public transport not only during the day but also in the evening.

Object

Representation ID: 7312

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Manor Oak Homes

Agent: Mr Andy Moffat

High quality design is a key part of sustainable development. The proposed approach whereby ‘proposals must / should demonstrate…’ rather than a more prescriptive approach is supported. 4.c. states that proposals should ensure that there are no adverse impacts (our underlining) on the amenity of neighbouring users. New development can have adverse impacts and still be acceptable, and the Policy should refer to no significant adverse impacts or similar wording. 4.g. should refer to ‘parking’ rather than ‘arking’.

Object

Representation ID: 7366

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: The Society of Merchant Venturers

Agent: Savills

The overall aspiration to secure high standards of design in the County broadly reflects the aims of the
NPPF. It is particularly important however that design guidance is not unnecessarily prescriptive or repetitive, in order that full consideration is given to site-specific characteristics and that flexibility of design standards is allowed for where appropriate.

It is noted that Policy SC3 includes cross-references to a number of other Local Plan policies including
Policies SC6, H4, H7, CC13 and SC5. The NPPF (2023) (paragraph 16) is clear that plans should avoid
‘unnecessary duplication of policies’ and therefore it is recommended that Policy SC3 is reviewed and
refined for clarity.

The Local Plan aspiration to achieve high standards of design should also take into account the need for
development to be deliverable and viable, as required by the NPPF (2023), in order to ensure that a sufficient supply of homes is delivered.

Object

Representation ID: 7409

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Hereward Homes

Agent: Barmach Ltd

It is recommended that the wording of the Policy be amended as follows:

‘In order to ensure that new development, including the refurbishment of existing buildings to include renewable
energy, is of a high-quality design and locally distinctive, a formal Design and Access Statement should accompany planning applications setting out the design principles to be adopted. The Statement should be proportionate to the scale of development proposed.’

Object

Representation ID: 7520

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Wing Parish Council

It is disappointing that the policies for sustainable new
developments do not include requirements for footpaths and cycle-ways to connect to exsiting facilities and facilitate non-car transport. Apart from connectivity for new
developments there is a glaring existing need for a dedicated footpath and cycle path beside the busy main road between Uppingham and Oakham, on which traffic
travels at high speed. The policy on sustainable transport deals only with electric cars and charging points

Object

Representation ID: 7562

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: House Builders Federation

HBF does not support the introduction of the optional Nationally Described Space Standards though policies in individual Local Plans. If the Council wanted to do this,
they will need robust justifiable evidence to introduce the NDSS, as any policy which seeks to apply the optional NDSS to all dwellings should only be done in accordance with the NPPF, which states that “policies may also make use of the NDSS where the need for an internal space
standard can be justified”.

An inflexible policy approach imposing NDSS on all housing removes the most affordable homes and denies lower income households from being able to afford homeownership.

HBF considers that if the Government had expected all properties to be built to NDSS that they would have made these standards mandatory not optional.

If the proposed NDSS is carried forward, then the Council should put forward proposals for transitional arrangements. The land deals underpinning
residential sites may have been secured prior so these sites should be allowed to move through the planning system before any proposed policy requirements are enforced.

This also policy seems to be seeking to give Local Plan status to an existing Design Guidelines for Rutland SPD which is not appropriate. Planning policy must be made
through the Local Plan process and be subject to mandatory requirements for public consultation and independent scrutiny through the Examination process.

Support

Representation ID: 7587

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Historic England

The policy is welcomed.

Support

Representation ID: 7802

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Edith Weston Parish Council

We support Policy SC3, however we would like an explicit reference to Neighbourhood Plan policies on design to be added.

Support

Representation ID: 7936

Received: 08/01/2024

Respondent: Ryhall Parish Council

Our villages were never designed for the cars! Street Parking is a problem, and should also be a consideration in extensions within existing properties.