Landscape Character Areas Supplementary Planning Guidance Adopted December 2004

Landscape Character Areas

Adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance

Swindon Borough Local Plan 2011 Revised Deposit Draft

December 2004

Landscape Character Areas

Adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance

Swindon Borough Local Plan 2011 Revised Deposit Draft

December 2004

Celia Carrington Director of Environment and Property Swindon Borough Council Premier House Station Road Swindon SN1 1TZ

Copies of the document (priced £1.00 excl. p&p) can be obtained from:

Forward Planning Environment and Property Department Swindon Borough Council Premier House Station Road Swindon SN1 1TZ

(01793) 466513

Landscape Character Areas Supplementary Planning Guidance Adopted December 2004

Landscape Character Areas

Section 1: Introduction 1.4 National and regional planning guidance appropriate to this issue is expressed 1.1 The Local Planning Authority has through Planning Policy Statement 7 produced Supplementary Planning “Sustainable Development in Rural Areas” Guidance (SPG) on Landscape Character (2004) promotes sustainable economic Areas, to: growth and diversification in rural areas. Therefore, this Supplementary Planning a) Explain the methodology used to Guidance does not seek to provide a assess and determine the different restraint to development in the countryside, landscape character areas, but ensures that where development is b) Identify specific characteristics unique acceptable in principle it recognises, takes to each individual character area, and, account of, and does not detract from, the c) Highlight the key issues relating to attributes of the immediate landscape each character area that should be character area. addressed when considering

development proposals. 1.5 Although the majority of the character

areas will not change dramatically over time, 1.2 In accordance with Planning Policy as they are based upon natural ecosystems, Guidance Note 12 “Development Plans“, to ensure that this guidance remains up-to- December 1999 (paragraphs 3.15 to 3.18 date it will be reviewed on a regular basis. refer), this draft supplementary planning Both in its conception, and during each guidance is: review, public consultation will be an a) Consistent with national and regional important input to the planning process. guidance, b) Separate from the Local Plan and 1.6 As referred to in paragraph 1.2, all subject to public consultation, Supplementary Planning Guidance should c) Reviewed on a regular basis, and, be clearly cross-referenced to the d) Cross-referenced to specific policies development plan. In this instance policy within the development plan ENV10 “Landscape Character Protection” of 1.3 A fundamental point to note about the Swindon Borough Local Plan 2011 supplementary planning guidance is that: provides the main policy reference and “While only the policies in the development states: plan can have the same status that “Within the countryside the Local Section 54A of the 1990 Act provides in Planning Authority will seek to protect deciding planning applications, and enhance the character and quality of Supplementary Planning Guidance may be the environment. Development shall only taken into account as a material be permitted where it takes account of its consideration.” (Paragraph 3.16 PPG12 natural surroundings and their landscape refers) Therefore, where development character.” proposals are submitted in an area covered by this draft supplementary The Landscape Character Areas are defined planning guidance, effectively those areas within the supporting text of Policy ENV10 beyond Swindon’s urban boundary, the as: guidance itself shall be a material i) Thames Vale consideration in determining development ii) Vale of the White Horse proposals. iii) Wroughton Vale

iv) Scarp

v) Downs Plains • Classification & Description: Combining vi) High Downs the above information to provide a vii) Midvale Ridge detailed character area map and clear viii) Lydiard Ridge descriptions of their unique character.

1.7 Clearly, the definition of landscape 2.2 In addition, the advice places particular character areas will have implications for emphasis on stakeholder involvement development. Therefore, in order to inform throughout the whole evaluation process. applicants, and also to set out the criteria This has been accomplished through the that the Local Planning Authority will use input of interested organisations and to assess development proposals, clear individuals based on Communities of guidance is required to outline specific Influence, (those with an interest in an area) issues that will have to be reconciled. This and Communities of Place (those living SPG will therefore identify those key within an area). issues unique to each landscape character area, in order to provide an aid to decision- 2.3 Furthermore, the Borough Council has making. concentrated particularly on involving its constituent Parishes in the consultation Section 2: Methodology process. This was carried out at two clearly defined stages in the project: 2.1 The process of characterising the landscapes surrounding Swindon has not • Firstly, once the draft character areas just been based on the visual aspects of had been established and plotted to form a draft Landscape Character Plan, the landscape. Instead, a combination of settlement patterns, geology, landform, • Secondly, after the draft landscape types land cover, vegetation, historical, cultural and the village studies had been and social influences were used to define completed, Parishes were invited to the Landscape Character areas. This comment on and amend the Landscape process is based on the Countryside Character Plan reflecting the initial field Agency's “Landscape Character survey work. Assessment: Guidance for England & Scotland” 2002, and is summarised in the 2.4 Additional stakeholders included: following two stages: • Adjacent District Councils: Consulted Stage 1: Characterisation on the draft Landscape Character Area plan, as well as requesting copies of their • Defining the scope: Clear definition of own landscape assessments, if already the purpose of the assessment completed. identifying the scale and level of detail required, resource implications and • Downland Forum: A group of local stakeholder input. authorities and local interest groups with a territorial stake in the North Wessex • Desk top study: Analysis of background Downs Area of Outstanding Natural documentation including map and Beauty, including the Borough Council. photographic material. The Forum has been consulted on the • Field survey: Foot and car surveys draft Landscape Character Plan. across the whole of the Borough to inform written descriptions of Stage 2 : Making Judgements landscape types, their current condition 2.5 With reference to making judgements, and add qualities unlikely to be evident paragraph 6.41 of “Landscape Character from a desk top study. Assessment, Guidance for England and Scotland” 2002 states, “It is possible that a

Landscape Character Assessment could Geology stop at the characterisation stage. The • Oxford Clay with substantial alluvial and resulting map of landscape character gravel deposits relating to the Rivers types and/or areas, and the accompanying Thames, Cole and Ray. descriptions of character, would then stand • Extensive flood plains surrounding these as a neutral, relatively value-free summary three main rivers. of the current character of the landscape. In this form it could help to raise Topography awareness of the distinctive character of • Generally flat, low lying large scale valley an area and encourage appreciation of (75m-80m), variations in this character. Beyond this, if • Occasional areas of higher ground. an assessment is to play a part in informing decision-making, an approach to Vistas making judgements based on character • Extensive views across to the Midvale must be developed.” Ridge and Highworth, • Churches form important focal points in 2.6 In line with this guidance, in order that the landscape (Lechlade). landscape character designations can inform and aid development proposals, a Riparian series of landscape guidelines have been • Dominated by the Rivers Thames, Cole formulated to maintain what is best in the and Ray, along with the smaller Bydemill distinctive character of each area (as Brook, outlined in section 4). These guidelines • Drainage ditches provide alternative express the various areas of concern that means of water removal. should be addressed and reconciled in relation to each unique landscape Vegetation character type. Such guidelines may • Very few woodlands except on areas of necessitate the imposition of specific higher ground, as at Crouch Hill, conditions or additions to Section 106 Agreements to achieve appropriate • Hedgerows & occasional trees, amelioration measures, thereby ensuring • Pollarded willows important aspect of the that development proposals are integrated Thames flood plain. successfully into their surrounding landscape character area. Human Influences • Few scattered villages on higher areas of Section 3: Key Characteristics of ground, • The A361 runs south/north to the River Character Areas Thames crossing point at Lechlade,

• The A419(T) runs north/south from i. Thames Vale Cricklade to Blunsdon.

Field Patterns • Large scale fields with hedgerows generally forming the boundaries.

Historical References • Important groups of circle enclosures, • Greenways running east/west along the valley, • Roman road (Ermine Street),

• Substantial tree cover pre 1970 (Dutch Historical References Elm disease). • A deserted mediaeval village adjacent to Wanborough, ii. Vale of the White Horse • Roman settlement and roads at Lotmead, • The disused Wilts & Berks canal runs along the northern boundary. • Substantial tree cover pre 1970 (Dutch Elm disease).

iii. Wroughton Vale

Geology • Northern half of Kimmeridge Clay, • Southern half of Gault Clay, • Narrow band of Lower Greensand dividing the two clays.

Topography • Broad, flat, low lying valley (90m). Geology

Vistas • Kimmeridge Clay forms the whole Vale floor. • Extensive views towards the Downs

and Midvale Ridge. Topography

Riparian • Low lying, generally level vale with several small raised areas • Numerous small streams flow across (approximately 100-115m), the vale from south to north, joining the River Cole, • Enclosed by the Scarp slope and Swindon Hill. • Numerous ponds.

Vistas Vegetation • The relatively open landscape allows for • Very few woodlands, moderate distant views in an east - west • Fields bounded by hedgerows with direction along the Vale floor, scattered standard trees. • Wide ranging views south towards the

Scarp slope and north to Swindon Hill. Human Influences

• Few scattered farms in the less Riparian accessible areas, • Several chalk streams flow northwards • A419(T), A420 and the London to across the valley, forming tributaries of Bristol railway line form the boundaries. the River Ray,

• Numerous ponds. Field Patterns

• Large fields with a strong north to south Vegetation linear pattern following Parish • Hedgerows and their trees provide the boundaries. main vegetation,

• Several small woodlands (Berry Copse).

Human Influences Riparian • Wroughton dominates the eastern end • Numerous chalk springs along the lower of the Vale, part of the scarp slope flowing • Scattered houses and farms, northwards (Clouts Wood), • Wroughton reservoir formed by damming Field Patterns a spring. • Fields generally of moderate size, • Fields enclosed by hedgerows with Vegetation standard oak trees, • Substantial woodlands covering the • Post and wire fencing. scarp west of Chiseldon (Burderop Wood), Historical References • Numerous hedgerows/standard trees. • Several deserted mediaeval villages (Westleaze), Human Influences • Considerable areas of ridge and • Number of springline settlements furrow, (Bishopstone), • Disused Wilts and Berks canal crosses • Several large country houses and the Vale. associated parkland (Burdrop House), • Substantial tree cover pre 1970 (Dutch • Small, twisting, sunken roads connecting Elm disease). the villages, • The M4 forms the northern boundary of iv. Scarp the area at Burderop.

Field Patterns • Small scale fields generally enclosed by hedgerows with standard trees.

Historical References • Parish boundaries form narrow bands running north/south, connecting the Clay Vales and Downs Plains (Bishopstone Parish).

• Farms follow a similar pattern that dates Geology from the Iron Age. • Lower Chalk together with Gault Clay • in some sections, v. Downs Plains • Shallow soils.

Topography • A steep north west facing hillside overlooking the Clay Vales (115- 170m), • Dissected at intervals by very steep sided coombes (Liddington).

Vistas • Sweeping views northwards towards Swindon, Vale of the White Horse, Midvale Ridge and the Cotswolds.

Geology vi. High Downs • Upper levels of the Lower Chalk, • Shallow soils.

Topography • High plain (approximately 170-180m) gently falling from north to south and of varying width, • Lies between the Lower and Middle Chalk escarpments.

Vistas • Sweeping views south across the open landscape towards the High Downs, Iron Age Hill forts & tree clumps Geology • Middle Chalk on the escarpment, Riparian • Upper Chalk on the ridges and hilltops • A limited number of minor which sometimes has a clay with flints watercourses flowing southwards into capping, the River Og. • Shallow soils.

Vegetation Topography • Generally treeless except for areas • High rolling landform ranging from 170m adjoining Princess Alexandra Hospital to 277m, and a few young shelter belts. • North west facing escarpment, • Dry river valleys running southwards. Human Influences • Limited number of modern roads Vistas (generally B roads), • Sweeping views northwards across the • Small number of dispersed farms and Downs Plain towards the Midvale Ridge agricultural buildings, and the Cotswolds beyond. • Settlements generally relate to military developments, e.g. Wroughton Airfield, Riparian • M4 runs east-west through the area • None present. around Foxhill. Vegetation Field Patterns • Dominant tree clumps located along the • Large, extensive fields, crest of the downs, • Boundaries often defined by post and • Limited number of hedgerows defining wire fencing with occasional field boundaries. hedgerows. Human Influences Historical References • Few roads (only A road A346), • Roman roads run north/south, • Limited number of well dispersed • Ridgeway runs east/west, agricultural buildings, • Disused Wroughton Airfield from World • No modern settlements. War II, • Parish boundaries form narrow bands Field Patterns running north/south, connecting the • Large, extensive fields, Scarp and Clay Vales.

• Boundaries often defined by post and Vegetation wire fencing with occasional • Numerous substantial woodlands and hedgerows. shelter belts linked by hedgerows with standard trees (Stanton Great Wood). Historical References • Extensive remains of early man’s Human Influences occupation including Iron Age Hill forts, • Important settlements occupy the highest the Ridgeway track and burial mounds. hilltops (Blunsdon/Highworth), • Smaller villages lie within the valleys, vii. Midvale Ridge • The A419 and A361 cross the area, • The B4019 runs east/west along the ridge, • The M4 motorway runs along the southern boundary in the Coate area, • Extensive recreational areas between Swindon and Highworth.

Field Patterns • Fields generally moderate in size, • Smaller fields around South Marston, Kingsdown Lane and Blunsdon, • Generally enclosed by hedgerows and woodland. Geology • Main east/west ridge of Corallian Historical References Limestone with isolated areas of • Iron Age hill fort at Blunsdon, Oxford and Kimmeridge Clays, • Eighteenth century landscape at Stanton • Lower Greensand and Kimmeridge Fitzwarren, Clay in the Coate area. • Disused Highworth railway line, • Several mill sites, Topography • Coate Water supplied water to the Wilts • Rolling landform of valleys, ridge, hill and Berks canal. and plateau tops (90m-140m), • Ridge is dissected by the south/north viii. Lydiard Ridge valleys of the Rivers Ray and Cole.

Vistas • Open views across the Vale of the White Horse towards the High Downs, • Open views across the Thames Vale towards the Cotswolds.

Riparian • Rivers Ray and Cole run north/south through the area, with numerous Geology tributaries draining the main valleys, • Corallian Limestone forms the ridge, • Important lakes at Stanton Fitzwarren, • Northern boundary marked by a fault. Sevenhampton and Coate Water.

Topography Thames. Water plays an important role in • This small area forms a raised plateau forming this landscape, which includes a above the clay vales. proliferation of ditches. Willows are an important tree in the floodplain. In Vistas conjunction with the existing hedgerows, • Woodland encloses much of area there are occasional blocks of tree planting, (Quarr plantation), punctuating the landscape. Although • In the north there are views across development has taken place within this West Swindon, area, it is dominated by a series of small • In the south there are views towards settlements with scattered, isolated the North Wessex Downs. groupings making up the remainder. The Thames Vale Character Area adjoins the Riparian northern part of Highworth’s settlement • Two small streams flow northwards boundary, for which the Local Plan Policy through the area, ENV12 (Landscape Setting to Highworth), • The eastern stream flows through two provides additional landscape guidance. large ponds and the dry bed of Lydiard Lake. Development Considerations Within the Thames Vale Landscape Vegetation Character Area proposals should: • There are substantial areas of Ensure that the scale and massing of parkland, woodland, parkland trees and development does not adversely affect hedgerows. the area’s perception of remoteness, Retain views and vistas to key local Human Influences settlements and landmarks, for example local churches (Lechlade), • Most of the area is in Lydiard Country Where appropriate, provide planting that Park, reinforces existing hedgerows, • Lydiard House functions as a museum compensating for the trees lost to Dutch and management centre, Elm disease during the 1970’s, • Recent developments include a visitor Ensure that any woodland planting does centre and recreation facilities. not prejudice existing vistas, Reflect the high visibility of this area from Field Patterns the Midvale Ridge. • Fields lie within remnant parkland and Where appropriate, restore former are of moderate size, landscape features such as meandering • Field boundaries are a mixture of river channels, where these would benefit hedgerows, woodland and post and the landscape and its wildlife. wire fencing. ii. Vale of the White Horse Historical References The Vale of the White Horse extends • Most of the area is occupied by Lydiard eastwards from Swindon towards Church, Lydiard House and estate, Shrivenham and beyond. Settlement • The eighteenth century parkland estate patterns are generally limited to small scale was created from the Royal Braydon agglomerations giving the perception of a Forest. remote landscape, which is distant from human activity. Views across this whole area Section 4: Landscape Guidelines are far reaching, due to its fairly level terrain with only minor undulations. i. Thames Vale By definition, the Thames Vale comprises the alluvial plain adjoining the river 8

The south-western corner of the Vale of physical distance between Swindon the White Horse Character Area, (including the Southern Development Area) comprising the land to the south of Pack and Wroughton being partially covered by a Hill, lies within the North Wessex Downs Rural Buffer. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a nationally important landscape designation Development Considerations for which Local Plan Policy ENV11 Within the Wroughton Vale Landscape provides a number of development Character Area proposals should: constraints. Ensure existing ponds and wildlife habitats, and sites that adjoin, abut or link Development Considerations these with other wildlife habitats, are Within the Vale of the White Horse conserved and were possible enhanced, Landscape Character Area proposals Reflect the existing pattern of buildings, should: be they on an individual basis or in small Ensure that the scale and massing of groups, development does not adversely affect Maintain, and where possible enhance, the area’s perception of remoteness, the perception of separation between Where appropriate, have regard to the Swindon and Wroughton, through the area’s close proximity to, and in the use of planting, case of the land to the south of Pack Have regard to the area’s close proximity Hill, its location within, the North to the North Wessex Downs Area of Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Outstanding Natural Beauty, Natural Beauty, Be accompanied by planting, whether Where opportunities arise, provide woodlands, tree lines or hedgerows. additional tree planting to increase tree Retain the perception of distinctiveness cover by creating blocks of woodland, and separation from Swindon within the Reflect the existing pattern of isolated Rural Buffer area identified in the Local units through an open, dispersed Plan. development pattern, Where opportunities arise, provide iv. Scarp planting that reinforces existing The Scarp slope marks a dramatic step hedgerows to compensate for the trees down into the clay vales. The steepness of lost to Dutch Elm disease during the the slope, accompanied by a generous 1970’s. quantity of planting, forms a highly visible Retain the perception of distinctiveness backdrop to the Vale of the White Horse and and separation from Swindon within the Wroughton Vales. Existing settlements along Rural Buffer area identified in the Local the spring line are traditional small villages Plan. that are well integrated into their surrounding landscape. Public vantage points offer far iii. Wroughton Vale reaching views over the clay vales towards The Wroughton Vale is bounded by the Cotswolds. Burderop Wood to the east, the M4 to the north and the scarp slope to the south, and The Scarp Landscape Character Area lies is punctuated by Wroughton village. partially within the North Wessex Downs Beyond Wroughton itself the area is Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a generally level with scattered farms and nationally important landscape designation settlements focused around smaller field for which the Local Plan Policy ENV11 patterns for dairy farming. There are a provides a number of development series of buildings forming very small constraints. settlements. The area is dominated by the presence of Swindon to the north, with the

Development Considerations ENV11 provides a number of development Within the Scarp Landscape Character constraints. Area proposals should: Maintain the scenic views northwards Development Considerations towards the Cotswolds, Within the Downs Plains Landscape Integrate into the scarp slope with Character Area proposals should: careful attention paid to new planting Reflect the existing pattern of isolated and maintaining the wooded units through an open, dispersed appearance of the slope, development pattern, Ensure that structures do not punctuate Ensure that scale and massing is the scarp skyline when viewed from the restrained and low key, and appropriate clay vales or Downs Plains, to its surroundings, Have regard to the area’s location Where opportunities arise, ensure that within the North Wessex Downs Area existing elements of the built form, which of Outstanding Natural Beauty, compromise landscape character through Where appropriate, provide for a their scale and visual intrusiveness, are lowering of ground level through the integrated into the landscape, removal of surface material, enabling Where opportunities arise, provide for the development to be inset into the planting to create shelter belts based slope, thereby reducing its overall around hedgerow patterns rather than height, tree clumps, Be restricted to single storey, where Have regard to the area’s location within necessary, to reduce the the North Wessex Downs Area of development’s visual impact, Outstanding Natural Beauty, Retain the perception of distinctiveness Ensure that Vistas towards the High and separation from Swindon within the Downs are not interrupted or Rural Buffer area identified in the Local compromised. Plan. vi. High Downs v. Downs Plains The High Downs are characterised by their The Downs Plains constitute an important openness, exposure and a perception of “stepping stone” between the High Downs remoteness from urbanised settlements. and the Vales. Again, an open landscape Their height, minimal tree planting and large prevails with large field patterns and field patterns give this landscape far isolated, scattered forms of development. reaching views over its surroundings. However, there are historic settlements Essentially, human settlements within this present, for example Chiseldon village and area are limited to small, isolated the activity surrounding Wroughton airfield. farms/dwellings, scattered in a dispersed There is a greater concentration of pattern. Generally, very little development planting, focused around hedgerows, in has taken place. For these reasons, in contrast to the clumps of trees prevalent in conjunction with inherent intrinsic qualities of the High Downs. The proximity and high the flora and fauna, the area has been visibility of this area from the High Downs designated as part of the North Wessex ensures that any development could Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. potentially be highly intrusive and should be considered accordingly. Development Considerations Within the High Downs Landscape The Downs Plains lies within the North Character Area proposals should: Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Reflect the existing pattern of isolated Natural Beauty, a nationally important units through an open, dispersed landscape for which the Local Plan Policy development pattern,

Ensure that the scale and massing Development Considerations of the development does not Within the Midvale Ridge Landscape adversely impact on the views Character Area proposals should: into/out of the area, reflecting its Ensure that non-developed hilltops high visibility and prominence, both remain free from development to inwards and outwards, preserve the prominence and quality of Ensure that the skyline remains free existing hilltop settlements, from development, Where opportunities arise, provide for Where appropriate, ensure that any additional tree planting that maintains the planting reflects existing planting scale and dispersed pattern of existing levels and styles, e.g. tree clumps woodlands, on the skyline and maintains the Where appropriate, within the southern openness of the High Downs, Midvale Ridge area, have regard to its Where appropriate, provide for close proximity to the Downs Plains and alterations to the land form to screen High Downs areas, the development in a manner that Provide planting to contain the echoes the existing landform, development within a discrete area, Have regard to the area’s location reflecting the undulations of the within the North Wessex Downs landscape. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Retain the perception of distinctiveness Retain the area’s perception of and separation from Swindon within the remoteness from urban Rural Buffer areas identified in the Local development. Plan. vii. Midvale Ridge viii. Lydiard Ridge The Midvale Ridge is characterised by two Lydiard Ridge lies on the western extremity distinct areas, one to the north-east and of the Borough occupied by Lydiard House, one to the south of Swindon. The a Listed Building, and its surrounding southern Midvale Ridge area comprises grounds, and is identified as being of historic the area of land to the south of Swindon value. This whole complex is situated on that encompasses Coate Water and the land marginally higher than its surroundings open land to the west of Coate Water and in a mature parkland setting. The house and is bounded by the M4 motorway, the grounds were constructed to complement eastern edge of Coate Water and each other, forming a dominant influence on Swindon’s settlement boundary. The other the landscape. The grounds, which are open Midvale Ridge Area contains the hilltop to the public, are one of the Borough’s settlements of Blunsdon, Hannington and country parks. Highworth, which run along the Corallian Ridge. Included within the Corallian Ridge Development Considerations are the small valley settlements of Stanton Within the Lydiard Ridge Character Area Fitzwarren, Sevenhampton and South proposals should: Marston. This Midvale Ridge area enjoys Where opportunities arise, maintain and views over the surrounding lower clay restore the 18th Century landscaped vales, particularly northwards over the grounds of Lydiard House, Thames Vale. This Midvale Ridge Area Prevent adverse impacts on the setting of also adjoins the southern part of either the house or surrounding grounds, Highworth’s settlement boundary, for Maintain vistas into and out of the park, which the Local Plan Policy ENV12 Retain the dominance of Lydiard House, (Landscape Setting to Highworth), Ensure linkages with Swindon through provides additional landscape guidance. the Borough’s network of Strategic Green Corridors are retained,

Maximise accessibility by means of • Policy ENV9 (Development in the cycling and walking and such that they Countryside) link into the existing cycle and footpath • Policy ENV11 (North Wessex Downs network. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) • Policy ENV12 (Landscape Setting to Section 5: Contacts Highworth) • Policy ENV13 (Rural Buffers) 5.1 As expressed in paragraphs 2.5 and • Policy ENV14 (Protection of Agricultural 2.6, the purpose of this guidance is to Land identify the key issues that should be • Policy ENV16 (Biodiversity: National addressed when considering development Sites) proposals within the eight landscape • Policy ENV17 (Biodiversity: Local Sites) character areas. It should be stressed that • Policy ENV18 (Habitat and Species this SPG is not exhaustive. Applicants are Protection) advised to contact the appropriate Council • Policy ENV19 (Community Forest) Officer for further guidance. • Policy E7 (Employment at Rural Settlements) Charlotte Riggs Landscape Architect • Policy E8 (Conversion of Buildings to 01793 466312 Employment Use in the Countryside) Andy Brown Development Control • Policy E9 (Farm Diversification) North • Policy H7 (Agricultural Workers 01793 466326 Dwellings) Rob Jones Development Control • Policy H8 (Conversions to Residential South Use in the Countryside) 01793 466293 • Policy R2 (Visitor Attractions) Robert Bruce Design and Conservation 01793 466326 • Policy R3 (Science Museum) David Dewart Forward Planning • Policy R9 (Outdoor Recreation and 01793 466445 Holiday Accommodation) • Policy R11 (Country Parks) Section 6: Further Guidance • Policy CF11 (Renewable Energy Development) • Policy CF12 (Wind Turbine 6.1 The guidance contained within this Development) SPG should not be considered in isolation. There are further Policies directly relevant • Policy T7 (National Trails) to the Borough’s Landscape Character • Policy T8 (Protection of Rights of Way). Areas within the Swindon Borough Local Plan 2011 that will be referred to by the 6.3 Further guidance on development Borough Council when considering proposals affecting the North Wessex planning applications in the countryside. Downs AONB is contained within the North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan. It 6.2 Those Policies within the Swindon should be noted that Swindon Borough Borough Local Plan 2011 that warrant Council has a statutory duty to have regard specific regard when producing planning to the AONB designation and high priority applications within the Borough’s will be given to maintaining and Landscape Character Areas, comprise: strengthening landscape character within the AONB. • Policy DS1 (Urban Concentration of Development) • Policy DS6 (Standards of Design and Amenity)