GBC Policy

Policy D1: Making better places

We require all new developments to achieve high quality design and enhance the environment in which they are set.

Residential developments of 25 or more dwellings must:

• provide a harmonious, integrated mix of uses, where appropriate, that fosters a sense of community and contributes to inclusive communities that provide the facilities and services needed by them
• provide places for communities to meet and interact, such as play and recreation and other public spaces
• be designed to facilitate and promote walking, providing a high quality environment for pedestrians, and where possible allowing short walking distances to amenities
• create places that are easy to get to and through, foster active lifestyles, are easy to understand and navigate, and feel safe during the day and night, and
• provide convenient and safe routes through the development and to nearby areas for pedestrians and cyclists.

All developments will:

• respond meaningfully and sensitively to the site, its characteristics and constraints, and the layout, grain, massing and height of surrounding buildings
• be laid out to make the best use of the natural features such as trees and hedges and levels, and enhance views into and out of the site
• promote and reinforce local distinctiveness to create a sense of place, with innovative architecture encouraged and supported in the appropriate context
• be expected to have regard to and perform positively against Building for Life 12 criteria, and
• be expected to use art and materials of a nature appropriate to their setting.

GGG Response

Summary

We PART OBJECT, PART SUPPORT this policy

We support the emphasis on views, natural features, local distinctiveness, and layout of surrounding buildings but object to the lack of reference to vernacular or historic guidelines.

Detailed Response

We support the emphasis on views, natural features, local distinctiveness, and layout of surrounding buildings. 

There is no reference to vernacular or historic design guidelines, even in Conservation Areas and we object to the absence of this from this policy. 

Most of the borough, especially the rural areas, have vernacular design guidelines which are available to give suggestions as to appropriate design. These should have mandatory planning force. 

The monitoring of this policy is inappropriate. Why should this policy result in a reduction of the number of appeals for poor design – should it not result in better designed buildings?