Village Design Statement Introduction

West Clere Scarp

What is a Village Design Why Produce one for How has it been produced? Statement? Kingsclere? Village Design Statements are The aim of the Design Statement This statement has been produced intended to provide guidance for is to ensure that any future by Kingsclere residents with the any proposals for development development and change in the full support of Kingsclere Parish and to influence the way the parish is based on an Council and and planning system works locally. understanding of the area’s past Deane Borough Council. It is the They provide a way of ensuring and present. It draws attention to result of public consultation that any new developments are what is special about the buildings, involving the whole parish at all designed and located in a way that open spaces and settings and helps stages, including a number of reflects local characteristics and to protect local character from public meetings, workshops and an the qualities that people value in unsympathetic development. exhibition. their village and its surroundings. • a questionnaire The statements are produced by The Statement therefore aims to the local community for use by raise awareness about what is • projects undertaken by the planners, developers, the local special about Kingsclere and its primary school Councils, local householders, surrounding area and it gives local • opportunities for all businesses and farmers residents a say in the future of households to comment on a their village by producing guidance draft version The VDS can influence the on respecting these qualities. • consultation with Borough policies in the review leading to Council planning officers the next version of the local plan. The community response provided As things stand at present, local a wide range of helpful ideas residents may only hear about and comments. These are proposals for development when reflected in the Statement. the design is finished. Although the Parish Council is asked by the Borough for its views on planning applications, it may not get the opportunity to offer as much positive input as it would like - particularly on the design of new development: ‘how it looks’. Often all the local people can do is react or protest. Once a Village Design Statement has been prepared, the Borough knows, in advance, the sort of things that are acceptable to local communities How will it work? Who is it for? What does it cover?

This Design Statement describes Change is not only brought about This Design Statement contains the parish of Kingsclere as it is by new buildings, but also by sections on: today and highlights the qualities smaller day-to-day alterations to that residents value. It is intended homes and gardens. open spaces, • the historical and landscape to be a practical tool capable of paths, walls, fences and hedges, setting of the parish influencing decisions affecting which can affect the look and feel • the pattern of settlement design and development in the of a whole village. • open spaces within and parish and should assist the Parish between settlements and Borough Councils in This Design Statement provides • the form and style of considering planning applications. guidance for anyone considering buildings development in the area. It will be • other important features The Village Design Statement is in as valuable to individual • business in Kingsclere line with the Draft Local Plan for householders wishing to build • transport and and is extensions as it will be to planners, communication issues. generally in line with its policies developers and architects and proposals. Should the Draft considering new buildings. It Each section concludes with a Local Plan, when finalised, contain provides a source of ideas for number of ‘Design guidelines’ for changes that affect Kingsclere, designers to work with local future development. Taken there may be a need to consider building styles which have helped together with the accompanying updating the Design Statement. to make Kingsclere distinctive. text, these guidelines provide In the meantime people applying details of the qualities which local for planning permission in the In summary, it is intended for: people hold dear. It is hoped that parish will need to show that they all development is designed and • local householders, located in such a way as to reflect have taken into account the businesses and farmers guidance it contains when drawing local characteristics and to respect up their proposals • statutory bodies and local values. providers of services and utilities For those wishing to read further, • local councils a bibliography is attached as • developers and builders Appendix A. • architects, designers, We have also included a section planners and engineers headed Policy and Action which A copy has been provided for contains items which arose during every household in the parish the study but which are strictly outside the terms of reference of a VDS. Nonetheless they are important issues in need of consideration. History and Landscape Setting

The parish of Kingsclere lies A large part of the parish lies and by the public open spaces of roughly equidistant between within the North Wessex Downs the Fieldgate Centre and Long Basingstoke and Newbury on the Area of Outstanding Natural Meadow Open Space to the west. North border and Beauty. The dominant feature of See Constraints Map. covers about 5 square miles of the landscape is the Clere Scarp attractive countryside. which is the product of erosion of Any future development should the east- west chalk anticline respect these natural limits. Any Archaeological evidence shows exposing the hard middle chalk development approaching the that the parish has always been a layer to form the dramatic scarp southern ridge will impact on the popular place to settle and finds face. AONB. Consideration should be from Stone Age times onwards are given to extending the AONB to recorded in the Treasures of Cannon Heath to the south of the the southern boundary of the Hampshire. scarp is part of the open dip slope village in order to provide greater and is downland farmland with protection . Kingsclere village is a spring line evidence of occupation since settlement running along the Neolithic times. The racing To the north of the settlement is a northern slope of a chalk and clay industry has existed here for well gently undulating land form ridge running south east/north over a century and the gallops, draining north eastwards to the west. The outlying settlement of together with sheep and grain and predominantly Great Knowl/Frith Common lies farming, dominate the landscape. consists of heavy London Clay on top of the ridge north of the with localised areas of Bagshot main settlement and a considerable The late enclosure of the valley Beds (sand). There is a complex community has grown up around floor together with the and diverse pattern of small to the racing stables at Park House establishment of the racing stables medium mixed farmland and on the anticline between the Clere in the late 19th century give a woodland. Scarp and the village. There are a distinctive flavour to the land number of small farm settlements between the Scarp and the village The north east of the parish is on the London Clay plain featuring parliamentary hedges dominated by the Golf Course at stretching northwards from the and the main gallops and other Sandford Springs and by the village. training facilities. ancient woodland running from Knowl Hill through Frith Kingsclere developed as a The original Kingsclere settlement Common. The area has a significant community in Saxon grew up along the banks of the distinctive wooded and enclosed/ times and over the centuries grew Gaily Brook which has carved a semi-enclosed character. slowly as a small market township narrow valley through the chalk serving its rural hinterland. An and clay ridge which marks the The Golf Course has been important factor in the present transition to the London Clay sensitively managed and the many settlement pattern was that local plain to the north. The settlement woodland copses separating the agriculture predominantly used is almost invisible from the Scarp greens and fairways give a flavour the open fields system until the as it developed along the northern of formal, managed parkland to mid 19th century when Kingsclere slope of the ridge. Despite the landscape. was one of the last Hampshire growth since 1950 the settlementis There are many attractive views villages to be enclosed. compact and well contained within looking into the settlement, its natural boundaries within the looking outwards and from the Kingsclere qualifies as a town ridge line to the south of the built under the Action for Market area , inside the A339 Kingsclere scarp and local rights of way. Towns initiative (population over Bypass to the north 2000) but the residents regard it as a village The views are very much minimise the suburbanising Design Guidelines appreciated by those who live influence such as standardised locally and by the increasing aaccesses, foot ways, kerbs, lighting • Any new development number of visitors who are and building forms. Any such should respect the character attracted to the area by its charm features should not adversely of the countryside as and beauty. See map. affect the special character of the described in the Borough Rural Landscape The AONB and the growing local landscape. Assessment. number of designated walks, cycle The Borough Landscape • Any future development ways and bridle ways make the Assessment should respect the character countryside within the parish an The Landscape Strategy identifies and natural limits of the important resource for informal, village quiet recreation. four landscape character areas adjoining the Kingsclere policy • Any planning proposals for Any planning proposals for the boundary. These are: the area should respect the area should respect the quality of quality of the landscape so the landscape so that this function • Hannington Down that the function as a can continue. • The Clere Scarp resource for informal, quiet • Wolverton recreation can continue. The landscape quality is threatened • Ecchinswell • Other designations designed by ribbon commercial to protect special development on corridor of the For each of these areas, significant characteristics in the parish A339. The principal pressure is issues of countryside management should be observed. from New Greenham Park just were identified and these key • Land uses which have a sub- across the Hampshire border in issues are summarised at Appendix urbanising effect on the West Berkshire but there are B. landscape are not numerous other small proposed Trees and shrubs which are appropriate. developments .. indigenous to the area are listed at • Neither new developments Appendix C. nor extensions should Care will need to be taken to detrimentally affect existing publicly accessible views into or out of the settlement or harm views from local rights of way. • Potential impacts of development on distant views (eg prominent roofs on the skyline, isolated buildings within fields, large windows which reflect the light) should be avoided. • When developing outside the settlement policy boundary, care must be taken to minimise the effect on the landscape of suburbanising influences such as standardised accesses, foot ways, kerbs, lighting and building forms. Settlement Pattern

Design Guidelines The original settlement at safe pedestrian access to the village Kingsclere was formed around the suggests that only minimum • Any development under the old Saxon East (George) and development should be permitted Exceptions Policy for social South (Swan) Streets. The houses here. housing which falls outside adjoining these streets and further There has been a significant the settlement boundary up and down the Gaily Brook are a growth of commercial and must be carefully sited to rich heritage of listed buildings residential building at the racing minimise its impact on the and form the Conservation Area. stables at Park House. Only related landscape and setting. The main settlement is roughly and necessary further development • Development in the outlying spear- shaped, with a broad base in should be permitted because of settlements should be the west tapering up to the valley the impact on the AONB. integrated into the shape and to its highest point in the east. form of the settlements on Several former agricultural sites: an incremental basis This land form has influenced Frobury, Cottismore, Coldridge development and created a respecting the organic and have metamorphosed into accumulative nature of the community which is hidden on all commercial developments approaches except from the west. settlement patterns. extending beyond the reuse of • Future development, The angles of the original cross redundant rural buildings. Much however, minor, should not shaped formation of main roads of this has occurred through the adversely affect the natural have been filled and expanded to use of individual, incremental boundaries of the the present village boundary. The planning applications, and there is settlement, defined in the principal roads are the A339 from a danger that the essential Constraints Map, which help west to east, which forms the character of the countryside will to establish the character of Kingsclere bypass, and the B3051 be changed by the piecemeal Kingsclere. which follows the route of the old development of industrial/ • Because of the lack of safe Whitchurch, Kingsclere and business units in what were pedestrian access to the Aldermaston turnpike and which essentially green field sites with village, only minimum is increasingly used by commuters few farm buildings. development should be and cross-country travellers. If development is to be permitted permitted at Knowl Hill/ Frith Common The settlement is bounded by: at these locations the impact on the landscape must be minimised • Development relating to • the housing line below the and should reflect the guidance racing stables should not ridge from Kite Hill, through contained within the Borough’s adversely affect the character Dell Hill to Bishop’s Hill Countryside Design Summary. of the landscape • the south side of the water meadows between the village and the Kingsclere Bypass • the public open space formed by the former Long Meadow and the Fieldgate Sports Centre to the West. See Constraints Map The settlement at Knowl Hill/ Frith Common is small and relatively scattered. The lack of Open Spaces

Two different types of open space Gaily Brook, which flows through The Bypass are significant: open countryside the village via the Lake towards between settlements; and the Water Meadows, provides areas A narrow strip of land runs to the important open spaces within the rich in fauna and wild life. south of the A339 creating a village. Kingsclere has many fine specimen buffer separating the traffic from trees some of which are subject to the settlement. A mix of formal Open countryside between tree preservation orders. and natural landscaping helps to settlements reduce traffic impact and this land St Mary’s Churchyard, Crown was defined as a buffer in the 1981 This is essential in preserving the Green and the Square provide a local plan. It should continue to special identity of local spacious heart to the village be so protected. communities. There is concern felt within the community about The Dell Recreation Ground is a Design guidelines the vulnerability of the remaining well established ‘village green’ and open countryside between gives fine views of the village and • Spaces between settlements Kingsclere and Headley. This is over the surrounding countryside are vital in preserving the particularly caused by attempts to in almost all directions. special identity of the local develop the Cottesmore Farm site communities - especially the in Kingsclere and the Catts Farm The Holding Field and Primary open countryside along the site on the Headley boundary. School Grounds together form a A339 to Headley. green ‘lung’, particularly for estates • Existing recreational, It is equally important to sustain developed since the Second World sporting and other open the spaces between the village and War. Both are well used for spaces including the buffer other settlements in the parish as sporting activities and have a zone between the A339 and well as that separating Kingsclere variety of mixed hedging and the village should be from other surrounding parishes. mature trees. protected in their present Open spaces within the The Fieldgate Centre is an form. settlement important social centre with a large • Important open spaces green space used for many sports between houses should be Kingsclere is fortunate to have activities. Together with Long retained to reflect the within its boundaries a number of Meadow it forms part of the character and evolution of open spaces that are an important western boundary of the village. the settlement pattern. asset for its inhabitants. They provide areas for sports, recreation Other areas, public and private, and leisure pursuits and are well form breaks between built areas used but apart from this they have enhancing the spatial atmosphere other very important functions. of the village. These include St Mary’s Churchyard, Sandford These green areas, which in the Close Meadow, Kingsclere House main are bordered by mature Garden, the grounds of Brooklyn hedging, including some ancient House, the Lake and Cedar Drive hedgerows, are dispersed fairly with the walk beside the brook. evenly throughout the village . They form an interesting pattern All the open spaces within and contrast between the diversity Kingsclere form a patchwork of buildings and break up the effect that pleasingly separates the concentrated housing development developed areas and creates a with pleasing effect. There is also feeling of spaciousness much a network of footpaths which appreciated by its inhabitants. links these special areas. See Constraints Map

Building Form and Materials

A major feature of the older part In the 18th and 19th centuries cottages in mature gardens with of the village, which lends it its building was either of individual well-grown trees and other essential character, is the uneven dwellings, such as Brooklyn House vegetation. sweep of clay-tiled roofs set with in North St and Goldfinch Cottage high square chimney stacks. in Newbury Rd, or groups of Smaller developments off the Buildings of different age, shape related buildings such as the spine of older roads, such as those and height are joined to form former Drake’s Brewery group of at Wellman’s Meadow, Keep’s articulated terraces with uneven buildings in Pope’s Hill. Although Mead, Hook Road and Poveys but continuous roof-lines. In each was built in the style of its Mead, work particularly well and, harmony with the clay tiles, the time, generally both the scale and now that their planting has predominant building material is the materials used have helped matured, are sympathetic to the brick, mainly red, but with the them to blend readily with the rural setting having softened into occasional variation of either blue- original village buildings. the landscape. grey, as in Phoenix House, or in Some other developments in the chequered or banded patterns as in There is very occasional use of weather boarding on vernacular village, however, point to lessons houses throughout the for future developers and planners. Conservation Area. buildings and flint was used as a Victorian wall surfacing to the Flat-roofed blocks typical of the The colouring of bricks which is Church, Chapel and School. The 1960s and 1970s, for example, now such a feature of the Conservation flint used was imported quarried appear unsympathetic to a village Area reflects variations in both the flint and there are only minor setting. Similarly, buildings of the original pug (chalk and clay instances of its use in vernacular scale of Rose Hodson Court and produces a grey brick) and in buildings Both it and weather the main block fronting Fielden manufacture, where the hotter part boarding should be used sparingly Court are unduly dominant both of the kiln produced a blue-grey or not at all, especially within and because of the colour and finish brick. adjacent to the Conservation Area. of the brick used but more When considering development particularly because of their size in Many of the roofs are half-hipped within the Conservation Area or and some gable ends are tile hung. relation to that of the plots in wherever else is appropriate, which they are set. As major In several buildings, Falcons. the reference should be made to the Old Forge and the Swan Hotel for features on two of the approaches Development Control Design to the heart of the village (and example, the structural beams are Guide exposed. In others the brickwork with one set in the conservation is entirely or partly lime-mortar As a former small market town , area) they are uncharacteristic rendered or painted. Overall the Kingsclere expanded rapidly after additions. effect is varied and harmonious the Second World War with rapid Similarly, some of the private with the roofs providing a unifying growth of both public and private estates built in the 1960s, and link. housing. For the most part, the subsequently, take insufficient post-war additions are either single Beyond the centre of the village, account of the village character of or two storeyed and appropriate in Kingsclere and have introduced there has been progressive scale. development and gradual infilling an overcrowded, suburban note over the last five centuries. In the Many are also fortunate in the size particularly where there is a lack Conservation Area this infilling in of their plots relative to the size of of open communal space and general is in harmonious the dwellings themselves. The where insufficient room has been relationship with the many listed gardens, verges and open spaces allowed for off-street parking of buildings. between contribute to the rural residents’ vehicles. village atmosphere of solidly built . Particular Details Many individual properties have • Should include components Redevelopment and alterations their own unique and interesting (such as doors, windows, to existing buildings features such as chimney stacks, height, pitch and ridges of windows, hanging tiles, cat slides roofs) which have regard to • Ridge lines should not be and decorative brickwork. These those already present in the raised above those generally provide pleasing visual diversity. locality. found in the immediate There are, however, examples of • Should maintain existing locality . recent buildings where completely mature trees, hedges and, • Should use original or inappropriate ‘period’ or where possible, shrub sympathetic materials, ‘vernacular taken from other planting. New planting components and styling to regions’ features have been tacked adjacent to open country and match as closely as possible on, merely to differentiate public spaces should be of those on the existing individual buildings, one from indigenous species. building. another. • Should incorporate plot • Should reflect the original boundaries of natural building’s characteristics in See Development Over Time features (weathered brick proportions of windows to Map and hedging rather than walls and in the design of Design Guidance timber fencing). the roof. • Should include a good • Conservatories, loft New buildings and variety of house sizes and extensions and roof lights development should supply local demand should be constructed in • Should reflect both the size for low cost, affordable and appropriate materials and and scale of existing social needs housing. reflect the design of the buildings and their position • Any new agricultural building to which they are within the building plot. buildings should be carefully attachedShould aim to • • Should generally be single or sited and designed to reduce maintain existing trees and two storey and the roof line their apparent mass so as to hedges. should not be higher than minimise impact upon the • Conversions of agricultural that of surrounding wider landscape.• buildings should have regard buildings.• continue the continue the tradition of to all the guidelines in the tradition of incorporating incorporating interesting and Design Guidance for New interesting and sympathetic sympathetic details in new Buildings details in new development. development. • Property owners should be • developers and planners encouraged to retain and • developers and planners maintain existing detail work should resist the should resist the introduction of alien on buildings and boundary introduction of alien features vernacular detail merely as vernacular detail merely as decoration. • Existing original small decoration. features such as the wall mounted post-boxes should be retained. Other Features

There are a number of special features in Kingsclere which do not fit neatly in other categories. These features are summarised here with appropriate Design Guidelines. Walls and Plot Boundaries Walls are not a major feature of plot boundaries but where they exist they reflect in material and design the buildings in their immediate vicinity. Tall close Trees and Hedgerows Country Lanes boarded fencing presents an intimidating aspect especially Trees and hedges are an important The comparatively few country adjacent to footpaths. Residents part not just of the settlement but lanes in the parish date back in of 1960s open-fronted properties also in parts of the rest of the some cases at least to their use as frequently desire to enclose their parish. Saxon herepaths(warrior roads appearing on Saxon charters) and are frontages and where this is There are a number of individual permitted it should be done with important to the character and trees, groups of trees, hedgerows enjoyment of the landscape. sensitivity to the effect on adjacent and wooded areas which are properties; visually important and which These are narrow and winding and • existing walls should be contribute significantly to the local edged with grass banks topped by repaired and retained. character and environment. field hedges which limit visibility • boundaries on frontages and for car drivers. They are enjoyed • visually significant trees , by walkers and cyclists. adjacent to footways or hedgerows and wooded public open spaces should areas in public spaces should Those to the south west of the respect the character of the be cared for, conserved and, village are particularly at risk from area in due course, suitably ‘rat-running’ by Heavy Goods • appropriate native hedging replaced. Vehicles and by commuter car plants should be used rather • where visually significant drivers trying to avoid the A339. than exotic conifers or other This problem is likely to be uncharacteristic plants. trees or hedgerows are on private land, owners should exacerbated by the developments • close boarded fencing at New Greenham Park. adjacent to footpaths should be encouraged to care for be avoided. them appropriately. • if new development takes • hedges should be planted in • the removal of hedgerows place, particular care should such a way that, when should be resisted. be taken to ensure that it is mature, the entire hedge is • new planting should use not at a level or of a type contained within the native species which would give rise to curtilage of the property significant increases in rather than overlapping onto traffic and damage the rural neighbouring character of the lanes Footpaths and Bridle ways Light Pollution Overhead Lines and Other Utilities Kingsclere is rich in footpaths and Safety and security considerations bridle ways and is lucky to have an frame the need for adequate Overhead lines are unsightly and energetic group of volunteers to lighting, both on individual in many places seriously degrade undertake maintenance work. The properties and on public roads. the skyline, with a proliferation of footpaths and bridle ways are an However, light pollution problem crossing lines attributable to asset which is well used by visitors is becoming an increasing problem different services. On individual properties, the who are encouraged by a well People find the new overhead produced footpath guide. undue glare from security lights can spoil the tranquil atmosphere lines intrusive, particularly in • Any development proposed of a rural community and can have the outlying parts of the should avoid the closure of safety implications. Conservation Area. Although Rights of Way and take any some action has been taken to opportunity to create new The original street lighting replace some lighting columns footpaths to link with other specification for the Conservation in the Conservation Area many footpaths and spaces in the Area required a specific type of people also find the modern vicinity lamp which gave a softer lighting lighting equipment attached to to the area. As time has buildings or mounted on Highway Signs progressed these have gradually columns unsympathetic and been replaced by ordinary lamps. introducing unnecessary street In recent years the quantity of clutter signs in the parish has increased • In any new development appreciably and residents feel that external lighting on the quality has decreased. They individual properties should present an untidy, cluttered be limited to the minimum appearance. The regulations about required for security and the attachment of signs against working purposes and listed buildings frequently mean should minimise pollution that the sign is attached to a post from glow and spillage in front of the building with a • In any new development correspondingly greater adverse floodlighting installations for visual impact. When redundant sports and other purposes signs are removed, the posts are should minimise pollution frequently left in place from flow and spillage and times of use should be controlled Retail and Commercial Activities

• shop fronts should adhere to Background offices. A thriving retail centre the Borough Development will tend to attract other retailers and Control Design Guide 1 Kingsclere has always been a retail and it is important to retain the (Shopfronts and and trading centre serving its small existing stock of commercial Advertisements) agricultural hinterland. While properties in the village • there should be discussion there has been a decline in retail centre.Measures can be taken to and other businesses serving the with shop owners and assist retailers by, for example, managers to establish local community this has reversed promoting the village. in recent years and it has been whether a more discreet amply demonstrated that well-run Funding and assistance in presentation could be retail businesses which offer value activities of this nature are achieved. and understand the importance of available from the Countryside • vandalism and petty crime niche marketing can thrive. Agency through the Action for remain a problem and as far Market Towns initiative. Kingsclere’s centuries old market as possible should be has disappeared and now only There is also a need to address the designed out of the retail survives as a monthly indoor parking problem in the village and commercial area in any market at the Village Club. centre. Short stay parking is future development Kingsclere qualifies as a market abused largely because it is Hotels, Pubs and Catering town under the Action for Market difficult to police. Towns initiative (over 2000 The different types of catering • development proposals to establishment provide a wide population) even though residents reduce the stock of retail prefer to call it a village. range of services for residents and premises in the village visitors to the village. They also The traditional principal industry should be resisted create employment in the of farming has changed drastically Shop Fascias and Window community. and the move out of livestock Displays husbandry and the mechanisation There is a shortage of beds for of arable farming has reduced the Kingsclere is fortunate in having a visitors and tourists in the village numbers working in agriculture to variety of shops and facilities although this will be redressed by a minimum. which attract many visitors from conversion of the George and other villages which are less well Horn Inn to an hotel. There is Retailing and Catering provided for. In the main, the also an extant planning permission shops and small businesses favour for a small hotel adjacent to the Many of the former shops have restrained fascia boards and been converted to private Kingsclere Filling Station on the window displays which are A339. dwellings but those that remain are appropriate to the village setting. generally thriving although The Design Guidelines applicable sometimes now being used as to Retailing apply equally to this sector. Agriculture Changes in agriculture mean that Major land users in Kingsclere are Other business have a wider there are now many redundant the Racing Stables and the Golf market either nationally or buildings on local farms. In some course, both of whom have a internationally but may still be cases buildings may be unsuited significant impact on the landscape operating out of the home for conversion because of their and are major employers. There premises. original purpose, eg: a dutch barn, are other ‘alternative users’ such as a country sports centre and a For a variety of reasons such or be in such a poor state that businesses may remain invisible to demolition is the only option. garden centre. These create employment but also have an the local community and their This leaves a considerable stock impact on the community. development needs unrecognised. suitable for other uses . Industrial/commercial or other Other Small Business Tourism employment uses that ‘fit the Apart from residents of Although Kingsclere has never building and site’ should be Kingsclere Business Park there are been considered as a tourist considered first for redundant a wide range of small businesses attraction it attracts a wide variety farm buildings. In exceptional operating in Kingsclere either of visitors who are chiefly drawn circumstances (eg where the from home or from rented to the beautiful countryside and buildings are Listed) it may be premises. They range from sole especially the AONB and the West appropriate that mixed or traders to small companies. Clere Scarp with Watership Down residential uses are considered, as a key attraction.. where it has been proven that Many of these businesses are employment uses alone are not servicing the local community and Kingsclere not only has attractive feasible. It is important that these these include the full range of countryside with well maintained buildings are clearly identified in building trades and other services footpaths and bridle ways but has order that they can be taken into such as peripatetic hairdressing many quality tourist attractions account in the Local Plan . and window cleaning. within easy range; it lends itself A particular issue for many young well to the sensitive development people starting out on a craft of tourism. oriented career is both to afford workshop facilities and living accommodation. In converting redundant farm buildings, the possibility to live ‘over the shop’ should be considered. The major need in Kingsclere is for affordable housing not additional employment opportunities. In one case, a small business which located to redundant buildings at the end of a narrow lane has expanded to the point where deliveries are made by HGV causing difficulties to other residents. Planning conditions should be worded to avoid such situations. Transport and Communications

Transport Kingsclere lies at the cross roads of the A339 between Basingstoke and Newbury and the B3051 from Aldermaston to Whitchurch. Although it is scheduled to be de- trunked, the A339 is an increasingly busy traffic artery and traffic levels have been unaffected by the construction of the Newbury By-pass and attempts to direct north - south traffic via the A34 and the A303/M3. The A339 also attracts a considerable traffic load from the east of Thatcham via Crookham Common and from New Greenham Park. These traffic levels are expected to increase in the immediate future. Figures provided by the Highways Agency show that there has been a market service. At both Newbury steady increase in traffic and Basingstoke there is This presents continuing problems movement on the A339 since 1999 reasonable access to the railway in parts of the village especially with the opening of the Newbury stations from the buses, although where the garage counts as a Bypass having no apparent effect the unreliability of the bus parking space but is not used as on traffic levels. services, and especially the delays such or has even been converted into other accommodation. There is also a growing use of the which buses experience in exiting B3051 both as a commuter route the village at peak times, makes • conversion of garages into and as an alternative to other east - cross - connections problematic. living accommodation west routes. Dial a Ride operates a once-a-week should be resisted unless adequate alternative parking These increasing traffic loads are service for disabled people and the Care Scheme runs a hospital space exists within the impacting on the village especially curtilage. at peak commuter times. Recent transport service. Privately run traffic surveys identified over 700 taxi and mini bus services also Communications vehicle movements an hour at operate but can be expensive because there is no local taxi firm There is a cable link along the peak times through the village A339 with hubs in Newbury and centre. and all journeys are charged on a ‘to and from’ basis. Some Basingstoke. At present there is Kingsclere has limited access to alternative transport schemes have not broadband link in the village public transport with an hourly been experimented with but have itself except via BT. The bus service to and from Newbury invariably foundered because of availability of broadband is and Basingstoke throughout the cost and because they were too important to modern businesses day. This service is subsidised and inflexible for the needs of and this is important to many under-utilised for much of the day. residents. small entrepreneurs. The There are some minor additional development of wireless broad services such as the Thursday The private car will continue to be band could eliminate the need for Newbury the transport of choice for land links and Kingsclere is well residents and for many homes that placed for this. means multi-ownership The contents of this section do not form part of the Supplementary Planning Guidance but contain problems and issues which were identified by the Village Design Group during their researches. They are included here for further consideration by the Parish Council

Policy and Action

iA large number of items were • The contents of this section • proposals to reduce the dentified during the project which do not form part of the stock of retail premises in did not come strictly within the Supplementary Planning the village should be immediate terms of a Village Guidance but contain resisted Design Statement. Bearing in problems and issues which mind the possible development of were identified by the Village • landscaping the somewhat a Vital Villages Local Plan for Design Group during their featureless grassed area Kingsclere they are set out below researches. They are outside the flats at 24 to 30 under the headings by which they included here for further George St should be were identified. consideration by the Parish considered, both to soften Councilc the area with planting and They are offered for consideration • children’s play areas. The possibly to provide for future action by the Parish three areas located in recent additional parking spaces Council housing developments do not meet existing needs and • the continuance of the Landscape Setting developers have occasionally Post Office should be avoided the requirement to ensured, not least to protect • the AONB should be provide them. They are a banking facilities in the extended to the southern buffer between village. strategic boundary of the village. developments • other designations designed to protect special Business and Tourism characteristics in the parish • an up-to-date record of local should be strictly observed. businesses should be • activities should be maintained. controlled to minimise the • Kingsclere should be actively impact of problems promoted as a high grade identified as key issues in tourist destination. the B & D Landscape Assessment Retail and Catering • the Dell is a unique area and • membership of Action for measures to protect it such Market Towns should be as incorporating it into the actively pursued, and Conservation Area should be maximum use made of their considered. funds and services • the Holding Field at present • there should be consultation only holds its public open with retailers on the most space status because it is effective measures for outside the policy boundary maintaining the viability of and consideration should be their businesses given to registering it as a village green Country Lanes Transport and Communications Agriculture • the use of these lanes should • active measures should • a register of potentially be closely monitored and, if betaken to manage the redundant rural buildings necessary, access limitations impact of traffic on the should be created in order placed upon them. roads through the village that they can be considered • the Highway Authority • traffic levels both through within the Local Plan should ensure the the village and along the • the need for ‘start-up’ preservation of the character A339 should continue to be facilities which could include of the lanes monitored living accommodation • in maintenance and repair, • improved traffic safety on the should be considered in the the Highway Authority A339 should be actively Local Plan should avoid urbanisation of promoted • discussions should be held appearance resulting from • the greater use of public with local landowners and the installation of concrete transport should be actively farmers to determine how kerbs, street lights and other promoted best to support them in the inappropriate elements • parking is in part a problem future • Repair and maintenance or because a number of new development should not residences in the result in lanes being widened Conservation Area lack or straightened parking spaces within their Lighting curtilages. • effective parking • consideration should be management systems (eg given to burying overhead disk parking and residents lines in parts of the only parking) should be Conservation Area where considered this has not already been • the availability of wireless done - North St and the south part of Swan St broadband (ADSL) should be actively promoted • consideration should be given to replacing the modern lighting equipment in the Conservation Area by equipment more sympathetic