Cross Lane, Hoylandswaine

Design and Access Statement

Proposed Residential Development

Conroy Brook (Developments) Ltd

July 2015

50427/JG

Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners 3rd Floor 15 St Paul's Street Leeds LS1 2JG nlpplanning.com

This document is formatted for double sided printing.

© Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Ltd 2015. Trading as Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners. All Rights Reserved. Registered Office: 14 Regent's Wharf All Saints Street London N1 9RL

All plans within this document produced by NLP are based upon Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright reserved. Licence number AL50684A Cross Lane, Hoylandswaine : Design and Access Statement

Contents

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 Planning Policy Context 3 Development Plan ...... 3 Supplementary Planning Documents/ Other Documents ...... 4

3.0 Site Context 6

4.0 Application Site 9 Existing Access and Pedestrian Routes ...... 11 Opportunities and Constraints ...... 12

5.0 Concept Development 13 Sketch Concept Plan...... 13 Updated Site Layout Plan ...... 14 Consultation ...... 15 Responding to Feedback ...... 16

6.0 Proposed Development 18 Layout and Design Response ...... 18 Density of Development ...... 20 Building Heights ...... 20 Internal Floor Space ...... 21 Materials ...... 21 Appearance – Proposed house types ...... 21 Sustainable Design ...... 22 Access ...... 22

7.0 Conclusion 24

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Cross Lane, Hoylandswaine : Design and Access Statement

1.0 Introduction

1.1 This Design and Access Statement (DAS) has been prepared by Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (NLP) on behalf of Conroy Brook (Developments) Ltd in support of a planning application for full planning permission for the erection of 10 detached dwelling houses at Cross Lane, Hoylandswaine.

1.2 This Statement sets out the design principles which have been applied to the scheme to ensure that it respects and contributes to the existing (and recently approved) built form environment of the Village.

1.3 In addition, this Statement also confirms how the proposal meets the Council’s objectives in relation to residential design and identifies the measures which have been put in place to protect and enhance the amenity of the existing residents within the Village.

1.4 This Design and Access Statement has been prepared in the context of the requirements of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure)(England) Order 2010 (As Amended 2013) which set out that the DAS should explain: 1 The design principles and concepts that have been applied to a proposed development; and 2 How issues relating to access have been addressed.

1.5 This Design and Access Statement should be read alongside the supporting documents of the planning submission.

1.6 The remainder of the Statement comprises the following sections:

• Section 1: Policy Context;

• Section 2: Understanding Context;

• Section 3: Design Objectives;

• Section 4: Concept Development;

• Section 5: Conclusion; and

• Appendix 1: Building for Life 12 Assessment.

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2.0 Planning Policy Context

2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) places significant emphasis on the importance of design in place making. It notes that design plays an essential role in creating built environments which are safe, sustainable and attractive.

2.2 More specifically, Paragraph 58 of the NPPF states that planning policies and decisions should aim to ensure that, inter alia, developments:

• Function well and contribute to the overall quality of an area;

• Establish a strong sense of place;

• Optimise the development potential of a site;

• Respond to the character and history of the local area within which they sit;

• Create safe and accessible environments; and

• Are visually attractive.

2.3 Further to this, paragraph 60 notes that although high-quality architecture of individual dwellings is important in creating desirable and sustainable communities, design must go beyond purely aesthetic considerations to include connections between places and people.

2.4 In line with these design objectives, the proposed development incorporates a design which respects and contributes to the established (and recently approved) vernacular design of Hoylandswaine; which responds to the site’s setting at the edge of the Hoylandswaine settlement; and which creates a strong sense of place for its future residents.

Development Plan

2.5 The Statutory Development Plan for Barnsley comprises: 1 The Barnsley Local Development Framework Core Strategy (2011); and 2 Saved policies of the Barnsley Unitary Development Plan (UDP) (2000).

2.6 Other material considerations include: 1 Development Sites and Places Consultation Draft (2014); and 2 Designing New Housing Development (2012).

Barnsley LDF Core Strategy

2.7 The Core Strategy was adopted in September 2011 and has replaced a number of policies from the Barnsley UDP.

2.8 The following Core Strategy policies are directly relevant to development and have influenced the evolution of its design:

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• CSP 1: Climate Change

• CSP 2 Sustainable Construction;

• CSP 3 Sustainable Drainage System;

• CSP 5: Including Renewable Energy in Developments;

• CSP 10 The Distribution of New Homes;

• CSP 14 Housing Mix and Efficient Use of Land;

• CSP 26 New Development and Highway Improvement; and

• CSP 29 Design; and

• CSP 34: Green Belt.

Development Plan

2.9 Barnsley's current Statutory Development Plan consists of the Core Strategy, the Barnsley Education Sites Development Plan Document (DPD) (both of which form part of the Local Development Framework), the remaining saved policies of the Unitary Development Plan.

Barnsley UDP

2.10 The Barnsley UDP was adopted in 2000 and was only intended to cover the period 1986 – 2001. However, a number of policies were saved in 2007 and remain part of the development plan until further progress has been made with the LDF. That said, many of the Barnsley UDP design policies have already been replaced by the design policies of the Core Strategy that were set out in the preceding sub-section.

2.11 The application site is identified on the UDP Proposals Map as an ‘Existing Community Facility’ along with the adjoining school. As part of the Council’s 2012 Green Belt Review, the Council concluded that the site was added as an ‘existing community facility’ in error.

Supplementary Planning Documents/ Other Documents

Sustainable Location of Housing Sites (2011)

2.12 Adopted in July 2011, this document seeks to promote sustainable housing schemes within Barnsley.

2.13 This document includes a housing development sustainability checklist which amongst other things seeks to ensure that the Borough’s housing requirement is met and that infill and other redevelopment opportunities are taken up in preference to extensions to existing settlements.

2.14 The site’s performance against this checklist can be found within the attached Planning Statement.

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Designing New Housing Development (2012)

2.1 This Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted in March 2012. It builds upon the design objectives set out in the Core Strategy, specifically CSP 29: Design.

2.2 The document identifies a total of 18 design principles / criteria which new residential development across Barnsley will be assessed. These include relationship with existing dwellings and space between proposed dwellings; external spacing standards; internal spacing standards and character.

2.3 These principles have been taken into consideration in the design of the development scheme, and as such, the proposal is wholly consistent with each of the design criteria within this SPD.

Emerging Local Plan

2.4 BMBC is currently in the process of producing a new Local Plan. Once adopted, this document, together with the Joint Waste Plan, adopted in March 2012, will form the statutory development plan for Barnsley and will guide development in the Borough until 2033.

2.5 Under the Consultation Draft, the application site is proposed to be removed from the defined settlement boundary of Hoylandswaine and allocated for Green Belt use. As part of the consultation process for the draft local plan, the applicant objected to proposed allocation on the grounds that exceptional circumstances had not been demonstrated and the allocation was therefore inconsistent with paragraph 83 of the NPPF. The applicant also argued that the site’s location relative to existing/ recently approved built up area of Hoylandswaine meant that developing the site would not result in unrestricted urban sprawl; it could be developed without merging adjoining urban areas; and that it would round-off the existing settlement to the north. The applicant also argued that the site’s location, size, proximity to existing service and utility connections, and lack of technical constraints means that it is a much more sustainable location for residential housing, an important consideration for a Council which cannot currently demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply.

2.6 The closer the policies in the emerging plan to the policies in the Framework, the greater the weight that may be given to them. Taking account of this advice, it is concluded that little, if any weight, can be given to the proposed Green Belt allocation, given the limited progress of the plan and the current unresolved objections which exist.

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3.0 Site Context

3.1 This section of the report demonstrates how the context of the site has been understood and how it has shaped and influenced the proposal’s final design.

Location

3.2 The application site lies within the village of Hoylandswaine, to the north-east of Penistone and to the west of Barnsley (Figure 3.1).

Figure 3.1 Hoylandswaine

Barnsley

Hoylandswaine

Penistone

Source: Google Maps

3.3 The site lies on the northern edge of the village, immediately west of Hoylandswaine Primary School and south of Cross Lane.

Figure 3.2 Site Location

Subject Site

Hoylandswaine

Source: Google Maps

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Connectivity

3.4 Hoylandswaine benefits from good public transport links. The A628, which is situated to the south/ south-east of the village, offers excellent connections to the wider strategic road network and convenient access to Penistone and Barnsley. The village also benefits from a regular bus service, which provides access to neighbouring villages as well as Barnsley and Penistone.

Figure 3.3 Public Transport Services

Local Bus Stop, Barnsley Road 2km / 5km Catchments

Architectural Styles and Features

3.5 Hoylandswaine Village is characterised by detached, two storey dwellings comprising of natural stone finishes. Dwellings are typically traditional in style and support simple pitched roofs, chimneys and vertical fenestration styles. Tones are typically muted and comprise of natural grey/ yellow stone finishes.

Figure 3.4 Existing Materials

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3.6 The village also supports a number of commercial, educational and recreational facilities including a Village Hall, a Primary School, two public houses, a playground, a Sports and Social Club and a Church (Figure 3.5).

3.7 Both the Church and the Primary School are within 100m of the application site, all other facilities are located along Haigh Lane/ junction between Haigh Lane and Barnsley Road and within walking distance of the site.

Figure 3.5 Site Context

St John the Evangelist Church, Church Road Village Hall, Haigh Lane

Barnsley Lane/ Haigh Lane Junction

Playground, Haigh Lane Hoylandswaine Primary School, Haigh Lane

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4.0 Application Site

4.1 The site comprises 0.68 hectares of undeveloped land. It rises gently from its north-eastern to its south-western corner and up until recently was used for agricultural purposes.

4.2 Vegetation is limited to mature boundary vegetation on the site’s northern, eastern and southern boundaries.

4.3 The site has no significant natural or man-made features.

4.4 The closest heritage asset is that of the Grade II listed St John the Evangelist Church, which is located approximately 50 metres south-east of the application site and screened from view by the presence of mature boundary vegetation.

Figure 4.1 Site Location

Source: Google Maps

Site Boundaries

4.5 The site’s immediate boundaries can be described as follows:

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Table 4.1 – Site Boundaries

Boundary Description Photo

Northern The site is bounded to the north by Cross Lane, a single carriageway two-way road with grass verges along it sides.

Eastern The site is bounded to the east by playing fields belonging to the Hoylandswaine Primary School. Beyond these, lies the school building itself.

Southern The site is bounded to the south by undeveloped land, upon which planning permission has recently been granted for 67 dwellings.

Western The site is bounded to the west by open countryside. This land is identified as Green Belt in the Barnsley UDP.

Views

4.6 The site is visible from the following long distance views:

• Elevated views from the approved scheme to the south of the site (view 1,Figure 4.2);

• From the west of the site (view 2, Figure 4.3).

4.7 The presence of mature vegetation along Cross Lane means that the site is largely screened from view from Cross Lane/ land further north. Similarly, the

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presence of mature vegetation along the site’s eastern boundary means that the site is largely screened from view from Hoylandswaine Primary School.

Figure 4.2 Local Views

View 2

View 1

Existing Views to the site

Existing Access and Pedestrian Routes

Figure 4.3 Existing Pedestrian Routes

Existing Pedestrian Connections

The site is currently accessed from a single agricultural style access point along the site’s northern boundary, via Cross Lane.

Cross Lane is a local access road which joins with Renald Lane to the west and Haigh Lane to the east. It is subject to very low traffic volumes throughout the day.

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Existing pedestrian connections include a footpath along the western side and part of the eastern side of Haigh Lane. Whilst the footpath does turn the corner to Cross Lane, it only extends a short distance along the southern side of the road, before terminating just short of the School’s side entrance (Figure 4.3).

Opportunities and Constraints

4.8 Table 4.2 below identifies the opportunities and constraints presented by the site and its surroundings.

Table 4.2 – Opportunities and Constraints

Opportunities Constraints Visual Containment –mature vegetation Future sensitive residential interface to the along the site’s eastern and southern south– the proximity of the scheme to the boundary has the potential to screen the recently approved residential development proposal from existing/future development to the south acts as an opportunity as well within the area. as a constraint.

Site size – the site is of a size which allows Green Belt – the Green Belt, which lies to it to support much needed housing whilst the north and west of the site, presents a retaining a low density character. sensitive interface to the site.

Pedestrian and vehicle connections – The Pedestrian and vehicle connections – Cross site benefits from direct vehicular access to Lane is a narrow access road which is in Cross Lane. need of widening. The road also has poor pedestrian connections with Haigh Lane.

Existing Infrastructure – The site’s proximity to the existing built up area of Hoylandswaine means that it can readily connect to existing infrastructure. It also means that residents will benefit from convenient access to existing services and amenities within the local area.

Natural Extension of the Built Environment – the site’s proximity to existing / recently approved built form allows this development to act as a natural extension to the Village.

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5.0 Concept Development

Sketch Concept Plan

5.1 After reviewing the opportunities and constraints presented by the application site, the design team produced a sketch concept plan which maximised the site’s opportunities and respected its constraints (see Figure 5.1).

5.2 The sketch concept plan showed 11 detached, two storey dwellings around a central Y-shaped access road and a small surface car park in the north-east corner of the site which was to serve the adjoining Hoylandswaine Primary School. The density and layout reflected the site’s low-density setting and ensured that views to and from the site and the surrounding area were minimised, where possible.

Figure 5.1 Concept Sketch Plan

5.3 The sketch concept plan and indicative house types were presented to Officers at Barnsley MBC during a pre-application meeting on 18 February 2015. Both the layout and indicative house types were well received by Officers, both on the day itself and in follow-up correspondence on 05 March.

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5.4 In addition to their many positive comments on the scheme’s proposed design, the Officers provided the consultant team with several constructive design suggestions. These design suggestions included:

• Introducing new landscaping along the site’s western boundary and ensuring it appears as a continuation of the approved landscaping on the adjoining scheme to the south;

• Retaining existing hedgerows as far as possible;

• Ensuring that any improvement works to Cross Lane do not encroach further into the Green Belt than the current boundaries of the highway;

• Speaking to the School about what plans it has for car parking;

• Utilising block paving in shared surface areas;

• Ensuing adequate on-site parking is provided.

Updated Site Layout Plan

5.5 Following the receipt of the formal pre-application advice from Barnsley Council Officers on 05 March (discussed above) and feedback from the Hoylandswaine Primary School at a meeting on 22 June (discussed below), the sketch concept plan was revised to show:

• The surface car park for the adjoining School removed. Following discussions with the Council and the School, it was agreed that a contribution towards existing/ new facilities on the School site would be much more beneficial to the School;

• The total number of dwellings reduced from 11 to 10 to provide further opportunities for on-site landscaping;

• The internal access road reconfigured to provide a more efficient internal road layout, whilst continuing to maintain an informal, low-density character. The access road was also pulled back from the site’s northern boundary to provide improved opportunities for landscaping along Cross Lane;

• The existing landscaping on the southern and eastern boundaries retained;

• Block paving within the shared surface areas;

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Figure 5.2 Revised Site Layout

Consultation

Consultation with Hoylandswaine Primary School

5.6 On 22 June, members of the Project Team met with both the Head Teacher and the Chair of the Governing Body for the Hoylandswaine Primary School.

5.7 As part of this discussion, the consultant team provided the School with an overview of the proposal, likely timeframes for construction and potential opportunities for the scheme to contribute towards future projects at the School.

5.8 During this discussion, the School provided the consultant team with an overview of the projects in the pipeline and the funding issues associated with many of these projects.

Community Consultation

5.9 A public consultation event was held in the Church Hall, Haigh Lane on 06 July 2015 from 3.30pm to 7pm.

5.10 The event was hosted by representatives of the Project Team, including a number of representatives from Conroy Brook (Developments) Ltd; Martyn Jones of MPJ Design; Aisling Kelly of Nathaniel Lichfeild & Partners; and Leigh Ogden of PAH Highway Consultants.

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5.11 The event was advertised through posters in the local area in the weeks leading up to the public consultation event.

5.12 The event was attended by 23 local residents, each sharing their feedback on the design and layout of the proposed scheme. Many of the residents agreed the dwellings were of a high-quality and reflected elements of local vernacular design. A number of residents raised concerns about the ability of Cross Lane to facilitate additional traffic, noting that this road is in need of widening. Two residents also raised concerns about the potential impact of the development on surface water drainage in the area. One resident also questioned whether additional landscaping could be facilitated in the rear gardens of the dwellings in the south-east corner of the site to create additional screening between the proposal and existing residential properties to the south-east.

5.13 A total of four written representations were received during the course of the public consultation event. Again, these comments typically related to:

• The effect the scheme would have on Cross Lane;

• The ability of the existing surface drainage system to absorb more housing;

• The potential for the scheme to contribute towards existing local community facilities within the area.

5.14 One written representation noted that the development would be a welcome addition to the area, given its attractive and sympathetic design. It also reflected on the need for the Village to support schemes like this, if it is to have any success in sustaining local services and attracting new ones.

5.15 The full details of this event and the feedback received are set out in the accompanying Planning Statement.

Responding to Feedback

5.16 Since receiving feedback from Hoylandswaine Primary School and members of the public, the design team have made a number of revisions to the proposed scheme. These include:

• The site layout plan has been revised to show additional landscaping within the rear gardens of plots 1 to 5 in a bid to provide additional natural screening between the proposed development and the existing residential properties to the south-east;

• The acceptance of a condition which requires that the applicant erect a new fence (similar in design to that along the School’s northern boundary) for the School along the full length of its western boundary;

• The replacement of the on-site surface car park for the School with a contribution which can be used by the School to improve existing facilities; and

• Further details on the surface water drainage strategy for the site.

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Figure 5.1 Final Site Layout Plan

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6.0 Proposed Development

6.1 As noted above, the proposed development is for 10, two storey detached dwellings, associated landscaping and site works, (including the introduction of a new vehicular access point off Cross Lane).

Layout and Design Response

6.2 The submitted site layout plan has been designed to create a high-quality, low density residential scheme

6.3 The following design objectives have influenced the proposal’s final site layout plan:

• To create an appropriate extension of the existing/recently approved built-form to the south/east of the site whilst respecting the sensitivity of the Green Belt to the west and north of the site;

• To minimise views to and from the surrounding Green Belt;

• To protect and contribute to the existing/ future residential amenity of adjoining residents at Church Road, Church Heights and Haigh Lane;

• To improve pedestrian and vehicle connections between the site and Haigh Lane;

• To protect and enhance the existing amenity of the adjoining School through appropriate setbacks and landscaping treatments;

Interface with Cross Lane

6.4 The scheme has been designed to create an active and attractive streetscene to Cross Lane. Where possible, principle facades have been orientated towards Cross Lane. The existing hedgerow along Cross Lane has also been removed and replaced with a lower hedgerow, which will allow direct interaction between the scheme and Cross Lane. The result is a residential scheme which achieves a strong visual connection with Cross Lane.

Figure 6.1 Typical Streetscene viewed from Cross Lane

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Interface with the adjacent development site and primary school grounds

The dwellings in the eastern section of the site have been set back from the common boundary with the School. This ensures adequate spacing between the two uses and ensures that the amenity of both uses is protected.

Existing landscaping along the site’s eastern boundary has also been retained and additional indicative native planting added.

Figure 6.1 Interface with eastern boundary

6.5 The properties within the southern section of the site have been designed to protect the residential amenity of future residents of the recently approved scheme to the south/ existing residents to the south east. In most instances, principle façades have been orientated away from this development (plot 4 and 6) and habitable room windows in side elevations avoided. The one property which does have south facing habitable room windows (plot 5) has been set forward on the site ensuring overlooking of the adjoining properties to the south is avoided. Existing landscaping has also been retained to provide appropriate natural screening and additional indicative landscaping shown.

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Figure 6.2 Interface with southern boundary

Density of Development

6.6 This application proposes the erection of 10 dwellings, which is the equivalent to 15 dwellings per hectare. The density of this development is in keeping with the character of the area. It complements the recently approved development on the adjacent site to the south and creates an appropriate transition between the existing built up area of Hoylandswaine to the south/east and the Green Belt to the west/north.

Building Heights

6.7 As noted above, Hoylandswaine is primarily characterised by two storey dwellings.

6.8 In keeping with the existing built form, this proposal seeks planning permission for 10 two storey dwellings.

6.9 Accepting that the site rises gently to the south, the scheme’s proposed levels have also been carefully stepped to minimise the overall height of the dwellings.

Figure 6.3 Typical Streetscene viewed from proposed internal road

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Internal Floor Space

6.10 This proposal seeks planning permission for ten, four and five bedroom houses measuring between 167sqm (House Type F1) and 229ssqm (House Type H).

6.11 Each dwelling surpasses the minimum internal floor space standards set out within the South Yorkshire Residential Design Guide.

Materials

6.12 As noted above, Hoylandswaine is characterised by residential dwellings with traditional natural stone and slate finishes. In keeping with this character, the proposed dwellings include high-quality coursed natural stone finish, artificial stone head cills and reconstituted slate roof tiles.

Appearance – Proposed house types

6.13 This application proposes planning permission for five different house types as follows:

Table 6.1 House Type

House Type No of Units Unit Type House Type C 2 4 bed House Type F1 1 5 bed House Type F2 3 5 bed House Type G 3 5 bed House Type H 1 5 bed Total 10

6.14 Each dwelling will benefit from a double garage. These garages will be provided in a combination of attached and detached layouts.

Figure 6.4 Proposed House Types

House Type C House Type F1

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House Type F2 , Plot 1 & 5 House Type F2, Plot 9

H

House Type G HouseType H

Sustainable Design

6.15 The application site is located within a highly sustainable location, being within walking distance of a bus stop on the Barnsley Road and within walking and cycling distance of a number of the many local services available within the village, including a Primary School, Church, Village Hall, two Public Houses; Playground and Sports & Recreation Ground.

6.16 Where possible, energy efficient design techniques will be used. As a minimum each dwelling will have a primary heating and hot water system which is provided via gas-fired condensing boilers (minimum efficiency 89%).

6.17 Each dwelling will also be equipped with PV panels.

Access

Access Proposals

6.18 This planning application seeks approval for the creation of a vehicular access to the site via Cross Lane.

6.19 The entrance point will be a simple priority junction with kerbed radii on both sides, with 2m wide footpaths returning into the site on both sides. The junction

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will have visibility splays of 2.4m x 70m and has been designed in accordance with the pre-application advice received from the Council’s Highway Officers.

6.20 Returning in to the site from Cross Lane will be a new internal access road. This road will travel in a southern direction before travelling west to serve the remaining dwellings in the south-west corner. The properties in the north- western corner of the site will be served by a shared driveway.

6.21 The internal access road will be finished with concrete block paving. The private driveways will be macadam with concrete block edging to allow users to make a clear definition between these private drive accesses of each property.

6.22 In addition to the creation of a new access point and internal estate road, several improvements are also proposed to the existing highway, directly adjoining the site. These include:

• A 2m footpath along the southern section of Cross Lane between the new vehicular access point to the site and Cross Lane/ Haigh Lane junction;

• The extension of the existing 30mph speed zone west along Cross Lane to the north-west corner of the application site;

• The provision of new street lighting on Cross Lane between the junction with Haigh Lane and the new vehicular access point to the site;

• The widening of the carriageway to 5.5m between the junction with Haigh Lane and the new vehicular access point to the site;.

6.23 These improvements will help improve pedestrian and vehicular safety along Cross Lane.

Transport Links

6.24 The village benefits from excellent public transport links. The main bus stops serving the village are located on the Barnsley Road, approximately 1 kilometre south of the application site. These provide residents with direct access to Barnsley, Barugh Green, Cawthorne, Silkstone, Penistone, Millhouse and Holmfirth.

6.25 The application site is also within cycling distance of the Penistone and Silkstone Common railway stations.

6.26 Please refer to the Transport Assessment that has been submitted alongside this application for further details on traffic and access.

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7.0 Conclusion

7.1 This Design and Access Statement has confirmed that the proposal is in keeping with the low density character of the area, and once developed, will form a natural continuation of the existing built environment of Hoylandswaine.

7.2 This Statement has also demonstrated that through the use of local vernacular design features, sympathetic building materials and comprehensive landscaping, this scheme will both reinforce and contribute to the local identity of the Hoylandswaine Village.

7.3 This Statement has also illustrated that through the retention of existing landscaping along the site’s eastern and southern boundaries and the introduction of new landscaping along the site’s western and northern boundaries, views of the surrounding Green Belt will be both enhanced and protected.

7.4 This Design and Access Statement has also confirmed that the proposed new access point is designed in accordance with the Council’s access requirements and will allow all users to enter and exit the site in a safe and convenient manner.

7.5 To conclude, this high quality proposal accords will the design principles set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, the Statutory Development Plan for Barnsley and the Designing New Housing Development SPD (2012) and should therefore be supported.

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Appendix 1 Building for Life 12

7.6 Building for Life 12 was first published in 2012 by the Building for Life Partnership (Cabe at Design Council, Design for Homes and Home Builders Federation) and updated in January 2015. Its primary objective is to ensure that new housing is of the highest standard of design; create places which create character; create safe and useable public spaces; and promote sustainable travel patterns. It does this by assessing new schemes against twelve design questions, within the following three categories: ‘integrating into the community’; ‘creating a place’; and ‘street and home’.

7.7 Each of these questions are discussed in detail below: 1 Connections – Does the scheme integrate into its surroundings by reinforcing existing connections and creating new ones, while also respecting existing buildings and land uses around the development site?

7.8 Yes. The proposal strengthens the site’s existing connection with Cross Lane through the introduction of a formal access point and the replacement of the existing hedgerow with a low-lying hedgerow which allows passive surveillance of the adjoining road. The orientation of the northern dwellings towards Cross Lane also ensures that an active and direct connection between the application site and Cross Lane is achieved.

7.9 This scheme also introduces a number of pedestrian improvements between the application site and the Cross Lane/ Haigh Lane junction, in the form of new street lighting and a new footpath. These improvements will not only benefit the future residents of the scheme but also the students of the adjoining School.

7.10 Appropriate spacing between the site’s boundaries and adjoining developments and the retention of existing landscaping ensures the ongoing protection of existing (and future) amenity. 2 Facilities and services – Does the development provide (or is it close to) community facilities, such as shops, schools, workplaces, parks, play areas, pubs or cafes?

7.11 Yes. The application site is within walking distance of a range of community facilities including a Village Hall, a Primary School, two public houses, a playground, a Sports and Social Club and a Church. 3 Public transport – Does the scheme have good access to public transport to help reduce car dependency?

7.12 Yes. The application site benefits from good public transport links. The main bus stops serving the village are located on the Barnsley Road, approximately 1 kilometre south of the application site. These provide residents with direct access to Barnsley, Barugh Green, Cawthorne, Silkstone, Penistone, Millhouse and Holmfirth.

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7.13 The application site is also within cycling distance of the Penistone and Silkstone Common railway stations.

7.14 Whilst the bus stops are located marginally further than the normally accepted maximum distance to a bus stop, the frequency of the services available from these bus stops means that they are still close enough to be frequently used by future residents. 4 Meeting local housing requirements – Does the development have a mix of housing types and tenures that suit local requirements?

7.15 Yes. The development comprises a total of 5 house types, ranging in size between 167sqm (House Type F1) and 229ssqm (House Type H). The dwellings will be a combination of 4 and 5 bed houses. 5 Character – Does the scheme create a place with a locally inspired or otherwise distinctive character?

7.16 Yes. The architectural styles that will be applied throughout this scheme have been influenced by those already in place (and recently approved) in the surrounding area. This design response ensures that development will sit comfortably within the existing (and future) built landscape and will continue to protect the existing character of Hoylandswaine. 6 Working with the site and its context – Does the scheme take advantage of existing topography, landscape features (including water courses), wildlife habitats, existing buildings, site orientation and microclimates?

7.17 Yes. The natural ground levels of the application site mean that the dwellings will sit comfortably amongst the existing urban form and alongside the recently approved development at the adjacent site.

7.18 Where possible, the proposal also retains existing landscaping and introduces new landscaping along the site’s most sensitive boundaries to ensure that the proposal is sympathetic to the adjoining Green Belt and protects key views from the surrounding area. 7 Creating well defined streets and spaces – Are buildings designed and positioned with landscaping to define and enhance streets and spaces and are buildings designed to turn street corners well?

7.19 Yes. The scheme creates a series of well-defined streets and internal spaces.

7.20 Within the northern section of the site, the dwellings have been orientated towards the adjoining roadway to create an attractive and active streetscene to Cross Lane. The existing boundary vegetation has also been removed and replaced with low-lying boundary vegetation and a traditional stone wall, ensuring a direct visual connection between the site and Cross Lane.

7.21 Internally the dwellings have been laid out in an informal configuration around a central access road. The use of block paving ensures that this space is well defined and readily recognisable from private driveways.

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7.22 Each property has been designed to turn corners to ensure that the scheme is active and attractive throughout. 8 Easy to find your way around – is the scheme designed to mark it easy to find your way around?

7.23 Yes. The scheme will be easy to navigate, with visitors and residents required to follow a single centrally located internal access road. Private driveways feed off this road and have also been finished with a different surfacing in order to enable private areas to be readily differentiated by users. 9 Streets for all – Are streets designed in a way that encourage low vehicle speeds and allow them to function as social spaces?

7.24 Yes. The internal access road has been designed as a shared surface area. The block paving will allow the streetscene to be visually appealing and encourage vehicles to reduce their speed and to be conscious of non-motorist users. 10 Car parking – Is resident and visitor parking sufficient and well integrated so that it does not dominate the street?

7.25 Yes. Each house has a minimum of two car parking spaces, in line with the Council’s requirements. 11 Public and private spaces – Will public and private spaces be clearly defined and designed to be attractive, well managed and safe?

7.26 Yes. The main carriageway will be dressed with concrete block paving. The estate road will terminate to the south-west of the site where the driveways for plots 5, 6, 7 and 8 diverge to their respective garages.

7.27 The drives themselves will be tarmac with block edging. This allows for a clear distinction to be made between the road and the private drives of each dwelling.

7.28 Such features add character and interest into the development site and make a positive contribution to the attractiveness of the development overall. 12 External storage and amenity space – Is there adequate external storage space for bins and recycling as well as vehicles and cycles?

7.29 Yes. Each dwelling has been designed with the appropriate storage, private amenity space and waste facilities.

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