Annex B
COUNTRYSIDE AGENCY TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE
THE QUALITY OF DEVELOPMENT
COUNTRYSIDE CHARACTER
A core principle of the Countryside Agency's
policies is that all new development should respect countryside
character. In addition to protecting and enhancing our finest
landscapes, we consider that the character of all landscapes should
be taken into account when making decisions on future development.
We advocate the use of landscape character assessment.[5]
as a way of understanding what environmental features are present,
the sensitivity of a location to development and change and guiding
and informing the nature and conditions for any development and
change. Landscape character assessment is commended by Government
in planning policy guidance (PPG7, paragraph 2.15). We consider
that robust landscape character assessments should inform and
underpin all policies for development and change and should be
prepared as part of work on new Regional Spatial Strategies and
Local Development Frameworks.
VILLAGE AND
TOWN DESIGN
STATEMENTS
Village and Town Design Statements can be used by
local communities to describe local character and set out how
development can enhance local character and distinctiveness. Over
400 village design statements have now been adopted as supplementary
planning guidance and are guiding decisions on new development
in rural areas. More are in preparation.
PARISH PLANS
AND MARKET
TOWN HEALTHCHECKS
Community based plans such as Parish Plans and Market
Town Healthchecks and action plans are proving effective in analysing
local needs and opportunities and setting out local visions and
proposals for environmental enhancement and community facilities.
These community-based initiatives can assist in the provision
of a local evidence base needed to inform and underpin planning
policies.
CONCEPT STATEMENTS
We have developed Concept Statements[6]
as a technique that combines written analysis, design principles
and layout diagrams to show how local economic, social and environmental
objectives can be delivered on individual sites. South Hams District
Council has piloted this approach, preparing concept statements
for all housing sites allocated in the Local Plan. Local opposition
to development has been reduced, as local communities are reassured
that quality developments are planned and necessary community
facilities and environmental benefits will be provided.
QUALITY OF
LIFE ASSESSMENT
We have developed, jointly with English Nature, Environment
Agency and English Heritage, Quality of Life Assessment[7]
as a systematic and transparent mechanism that can be used to
ensure that development provides social, economic and environmental
benefits to the community as a whole. The Quality of Life Assessment
technique revolves around understanding which benefits matter
to a community and might be affected by a development, and working
out the conditions and constraints which would need to be applied
to the development to ensure that important benefits are maintained
and/or enhanced. The approach can assist the preparation of spatial
plans and strategies and their associated sustainability appraisals
and can also be used to devise appropriate planning conditions
and obligations to ensure that identified benefits are provided
as an integral part of development proposals.
5 We have prepared guidance on landscape character
assessment-Landscape Character Assessment-Guidance for England
and Scotland. Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage.
CAX84.2002. Back
6
Concept Statements and Local Development Frameworks-practical
guidance for local planning authorities. CA9. 2003. Back
7
further information is available at www.countryside.gov.uk/LivingLandscapes/qualityoflife Back
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