Neighbourhood Plan DESIGN CODE
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Colne Neighbourhood Plan DESIGN CODE June 2021 Quality information Document Ref Prepared for Prepared by Date Reviewed name by Colne 60571087 Colne Town Wei Deng, 06 2021 Lucy Sykes, Design Code DR- 11143 Council AECOM AECOM, Lee Wood, AECOM Limitations This document has been prepared by AECOM Limited (“AECOM”) in accordance with its contract with Locality (the “Client”) and in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and the terms of reference agreed between AECOM and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. AECOM shall have no liability to any third party that makes use of or relies upon this document. Revision history This document is intended to aid the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan, and can be used to guide decision making and as evidence to support Plan policies, if the Qualifying Body (QB) so chooses. It is not a neighbourhood plan policy document. It was developed by AECOM based on the evidence and data reasonably available at the time of assessment and therefore has the potential to become superseded by more recent Revision Revision Details Authorised Name Position information. The QB is not bound to accept its conclusions. If landowners or any other party can demonstrate that any of the evidence presented herein is inaccurate or out of date, such evidence can be presented to the QB at the consultation stage. Where evidence from elsewhere conflicts date with this report, the QB should decide what policy position to take in the Neighbourhood Plan and that judgement should be documented so that it can be defended at the Examination stage. First Draft xx xx WD Wei Deng Principal Copyright Urban © This Report is the copyright of AECOM UK Limited. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person other than the addressee is strictly Designer prohibited FINAL AECOM Colne Design Code Contents 01 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ x 02 Planning context............................................................................................................................................................................................... x 03 Analysis: high level baseline ........................................................................................................................................................................ x 04 Engagement ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... x 05 Design Codes .................................................................................................................................................................................................... x 06 Next Steps ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... x 3 01 1 INTRODUCTION Colne Design Code AECOM 1.1 Background 1.2 Purpose and Approach 1.3 Document Structure Locality is a national membership network for The purpose of this report is to provide design This Design Code report is structured into 6 community organisations which empowers local principles and codes for Colne, which can be applied sections: people to lead and influence decision-making in their to future potential development sites. 1. Introduction area. The boundary for the Colne study area in this Design Local communities can use neighbourhood planning Code report is defined by the current Colne Parish 2. Planning Context as a means of changing their neighbourhoods for the boundary (Figure 1). 3. Analysis: High Level Baseline better. Through Locality’s support programme, the The process that was undertaken in order to Colne Town Council (CTC) have appointed AECOM produce this Design Code report is as follows: 4. Engagement to undertake a number of studies which will underpin their emerging Neighbourhood Plan. AECOM has − AECOM representatives attended an online 5. Design Codes been commissioned to provide a Design Code inception meeting with the CTC in March 2021, document, which will provide urban design guidance and site walkover in Colne (date) to define the 6. Next Step to help to deliver good quality places within Colne. brief and direction for this Design Code report. − AECOM studied and reviewed the existing town character areas and suggested a series of focus areas. − AECOM produced a draft Design Code report based on the finding from the previous stages. − The draft report was reviewed by the CTC. − After capturing the feedback from the review, AECOM issued the final Design Code report. 6 AECOM Colne Design Code N Lake Burwain Foulridge Upper Reservoir Red Lane A56 A6068 Colne Vivary Way A56 Colne Water Knotts Lane KEY Colne Study Area Figure 1: Colne Study Area Map 500m 2,500m 7 1,250m 2 PLANNING CONTEXT02 Colne Design Code AECOM 2.1 Planning Policy Colne is a market town in the Borough of Pendle, Part 13 (Protecting Green Belt land) outlines the It identifies ten characteristics which underpin good Lancashire. Any future development within the area importance the Government attaches to Green Belts design; Context, Identity, Built Form, Movement, should comply with national and local planning and the role of these designations in preventing Nature, Public Spaces, Uses, Homes and Buildings, policy. This section provides such planning policy urban sprawl and keeping land permanently open. Resources and Lifespan. This report will use the context as follows: principles of this National Design Guidance to help Part 15 (Conserving and enhancing the natural inform the Design Codes. environment) encourages awareness of the natural National Planning Policy and local environment by protecting and enhancing National Planning Policy Framework (2019) valued landscapes, recognising the intrinsic A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the character and beauty of the countryside, and Environment (2018) recognising the wider benefits from natural capital The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) The 25 Year Environment Plan aims to deliver cleaner and ecosystem services. outlines the Government’s overarching economic, air and water in cities and rural landscapes, protect environmental and social planning policies for This national guidance will be adhered to and threatened species and provide richer wildlife England to achieve sustainable development. supported within this Design Code document. habitats. It calls for an approach to agriculture, The policies within this framework apply to the forestry, land use and fishing that puts the preparation of local and neighbourhood plans and Part 16(Conserving and enhancing the historic environment first. act as a framework against which decisions are environment) made on planning applications. Specifies that plans set out a positive strategy for Any new development in Colne should be proposed The NPPF states that a key objective of the planning the conservation and enhancement of the historic in the context of the Country’s aim for the next 25 system is to contribute to the achievement of environment, identifying sustainable uses which years to achieve greener and cleaner environment sustainable development, which will be achieved sustain and enhances the significance of heritage and tackle climate change. through three overarching objectives. One of these assets. The historic environment is recognised as is an environmental objective, which seeks to having potential to contribute positively to local Environment Bill (2020) contribute to protect and enhance the natural, built character and distinctiveness. and historic environment. The parts of particular The Bill aims to improve the environment, through relevance to this Design Codes report are: prioritising areas of air quality, water, biodiversity, Part 12 (Achieving well-designed places) National Design Guide (2019) resource efficiency and waste reduction. Any states that design policies should be developed new development should be designed with The National Design Guide sets out the with local communities so that they reflect local its contribution to the Bill’s aims and targets characteristics of well-designed places and aspirations and are grounded in an understanding safeguarding nature, tackle climate change and demonstrates what good design means in principle and evaluation of the areas defining characteristics. providing comfortable living to the residents, and in practice. It supports the ambitions of the It tells how Neighbourhood Plans can play an achieving high levels of sustainable development. NPPF to utilise the planning and development important role in identifying the special qualities process in the creation of high-quality places. It is The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological of each area and explaining how this should intended to be used by local authorities, applicants Areas Act 1979 be reflected in development. It encourages and local communities to establish the design developments which are visually attractive, expectations of the Government. This legislation imposes a requirement for sympathetic to local character and history including Scheduled Monument