Village Design Statement

R o p l ey VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

Covering the Parish of Ropley:  Ropley Dean  Ropley Village  Monkwood  North Street

(Draft 5.4 - 21 October 2006) ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Acknowledgements

East Hampshire District Council Local Plan (2nd Re- vision) as adopted February 2006

Village Appraisal 2000

Submission for Inclusion into the South Downs National Park (Ropley Parish Council 2002)

Ropley Walks (e Ropley Walks Group, 1988)

East Hampshire District Council

Ropley Parish Council

Ropley Society

Ropley Village Design Statement Committee - Graham Arnott - Ron Beal - George Brown - Nick Cook - Jim Culverwell - John Hunt - Michael Ludgate - John Noble - Jenny Nops - Liz Wheeler - Gerry Woolnough

Photo Information

Front Cover (clockwise from top left): St. Peter’s Church, Ropley Station, e Old Farmhouse, Sports Pavilion. Inside Cover (from top): e Chequers Pub, Ropley Station, memorial stone from inside St. Peter’s Church. Contents (from top): Lynch Gate — St. Peter’s Churchyard, Ropley Station, Ropley Coffee Rooms, Court Lane Vineyard, Ropley House

1 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Contents Introduction 2 1.0 The Parish of Ropley 4 2.0 Landscape & Setting 7 3.0 Highways & Byways 10 4.0 The Settlement pattern 13 5.0 Building Forms & Materials 16 6.0 Commerce & Industry 25 7.0 Sport & Recreation 27 Other Recommendations 30

1 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Introduction considered alongside their Local De- velopment Framework. As such it has a What is a village design statement? real influence. Development proposals must pay particular attention to the i VDSs are intended to provide design District Council’s Countryside Design guidance for any proposed changes Summary and the VDS. is has been within the parish and an opportunity illustrated across the district, most sig- for the community to influence the nificantly in Selborne where the VDS quality of designs processed through has been instrumental in the rejection of the local planning system. ese chang- a developer promoted site at the Local es may be major and already subject to Plan Inquiry. e Local Plan Inspector planning approval or minor ones such stated “e VDS rightly identifies the open as changes to highway boundaries, ac- spaces in the village as important…” cesses, management plans or small-scale items which may not require planning iv It is not about preventing change, but permission such as works under permit- managing it and even initiating it in the ted development rights. It involves the most constructive way for the commu- community and represents its views nity. to the local Parish Council and to the East Hants District Council planning How the Ropley VDS was produced authority. e VDS is produced by the community for use by developers, coun- v e Ropley VDS was initiated at a pub- cils, residents and applicants in general lic meeting attended by 40 people at the to help to ensure that any new develop- Coffee Rooms on 2nd October 2002. ments within the parish boundary are located and designed to reflect local vi A steering committee was formed, first characteristics and qualities that people meeting on 6th November ‘02, when of the village value. It is not a stand- appointments were made of chair etc.. alone document, it has to conform with At the next meeting on 6th February government guidance and the Local ‘03 responsibility was divided amongst Development Framework, but it aims the committee for producing a draft to identify particular detailed character- document for each section of the State- istics of Ropley. ment, which could be circulated for comment to interested villagers. e ii New pressure for housing developments Village Appraisal, produced in April create a particular need for VDSs at 2000, was used for background infor- the moment, and as Ropley will be just mation. 455 village households out outside the proposed South Downs (1) Village National Park boundary it is extremely 1 Fair relevant. Most inhabitants feel that Exhibition Ropley is special in many ways, and would like to see any development being planned sympathetically, to protect its character.

iii e VDS is not a statutory document, but when adopted by EHDC as Non- Statutory Planning Guidance it will be

2 3 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

of 605 filled in the Village Appraisal as Ropley. document, supplying 100,000 answers to the relevant questions. Duplication xv In consultation with all who live in in this area was not thought necessary. Ropley, the Village Design Statement has been prepared by a committee of lo- vii An exhibition at the Village Fair in cal residents specifically to help anyone June ‘03 generated several hundred who needs to make a planning applica- responses. tion.

viii Working groups were formed to gather xvi e Ropley VDS has been broken the necessary information covering the down into 6 primary sections, all or various sections of the Design State- some of which may need to be ad- ment, add in information from the Vil- dressed in a planning application. e lage Appraisal, and form draft conclu- sections are: sions.  Landscape & Setting — sets the ix e next stage was to produce more scene for our local views and vistas  finished working documents, which Highways & Byways — the local were collated into a draft report and infrastructure and access routes  presented to a public meeting. e Settlement Pattern — de- scribes the existing distribution x Comments and suggestions were incor- of developments and details the porated into a further revision. Views policies that pertain to these areas  from members of 38 village groups and Building Form & Materials clubs were also taken into account. — what architectural styles and material types suit your plan  xi Consultation took place with the Parish Commerce & Industry — de- Council, who have had representatives scribes the scope of business prop- at every meeting, and with the District erty  Council Planning Officers Sport & Recreation — clubs and activity sites in the Ropley area xii Supported by funding from the Par- ish Council, Ropley Society and East xvii e VDS has been formally adopted by Hants District Council. EHDC as a Non-Statutory Planning Guidance document and as such will be Planning Applications & the VDS used to judge whether an application is in sympathy with the content and ethos xiii Whilst it is true that some minor specifically for Ropley and Monkwood alterations and extensions to residential as set down in the VDS dwellings will not need planning approval the vast majority will require the xviii If you have any concerns or questions submission of detailed drawings as part over an application, the VDS may assist of a formal application. you in the first instance but of course it would be wise to consult your neigh- xiv e Local Plan contains detailed plan- bours and speak to a member of the ning guidance, but because it covers all Parish Council before going to see the of East Hampshire, it does not provide relevant planning officer at EHDC. the detailed needs of a parish as diverse

2 3 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

The Parish of Ropley the Dene Stores, the Toyota garage and Shell petrol station, and the doctors’ Location surgery. Further up the hill to the north are the sheds and station of the Mid- 1.0 e Parish of Ropley in Hampshire Hants Railway with its steam trains covers an area of about 6 square miles (also known as the “Watercress Line”) on the western slopes of a ridge that which runs from Alton to Alresford. runs south to north and divides the Other areas of the parish have their basin of the Wey and Meon rivers own character and sense of community, from the Arle and Itchen. It is one of Monkwood in particular has a very rural the most attractive villages in the area feel and its own small mission church around the market town of Alresford, building. e very popular Ropley itself generally seen as one of the finest C.E. Primary school dates from 1826, Georgian towns in the South of Eng- updated with modern extensions, and land. In the parish there are approx.. currently caters for some 175 pupils. It 600 homes scattered widely around the achieves excellent Ofsted ratings. (1) e lanes that meander through the rolling Chequers Pub countryside. With its wide geographi- 1 cal spread (one of the largest by area in (2) Classic Hampshire, of 3700 acres) the settle- Village ment is unusually disparate. atched Property 1.1 e centre of the Ropley village has the particular good fortune to be off (3) Mid Hants the main A31 trunk road, and half a Railway mile from the Petersfield Road. e (Watercress centre has one shop and Post Office, Line) Ropley the Primary School, Ropley Pre-school Station & Playgroup, the Church, Parish Hall, 2 Coffee Rooms and a Multi-sport (4) Ropley Pavilion on the Recreation Ground. Primary In Ropley Dean on the A31 there are School two pubs, the Anchor and Chequers,

4 5 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

History still more a “place of its own” with a strong village community rather than a 1.2 Ropley has Anglo-Saxon origins, and dormitory village for the larger towns in Domesday Book times was part of within easy driving distance. It reflects a Bishops Sutton. It became a separate wide mixture of the old and new, rang- parish in 1882. Its soils are suitable for ing from the 16th century or earlier to fine flowers, and so was known for its the modern buildings seen today, which bee-keeping and honey since way back vary from excellent to poor in the way in Norman times. e first Church of they blend in with the parish. St. Peter’s was built in the 11th century, extended at various times through the centuries and rebuilt in the 19th century. In the 19th century the area was 1 (1) e Anchor famous for its smuggling activities. Pub — in earlier times. 1.3 At the time of the First World War the population was around 1000, with most cottages still “tied,” dependent on wells for water, and oil or gas lamps for lighting. Indeed this was still the case in most homes till the 1950s. Since then there has been a steady increase 2 (2) “Colonial” in the population to its current level of bungalows 1630. ere has been an increase in the — almost all number of houses, particularly as rib- replaced with bon development and in-filling along much larger the lanes. It began with the “colonial” dwellings. bungalows built after the First World War for returning service men, with 1 to 2 acre plots of land large enough to give a degree of self-sufficiency. ese 3 (3) Dene have increasingly been bought with a Stores and view to more substantial homes replac- original ing them. Mains water came in 1945, Garage — and electricity in 1952, though it took early 1900’s till the 70s and even 90s for all houses to be connected. ere is no mains drainage or gas in the parish. With the rise in standards of living over the last few generations and particularly that of house prices over the last few decades 4 (4) What a there has been an accelerating trend difference a of people earning their living else- century makes! where, but moving into the village for its attractiveness. Compared to nearby Four Marks (half the size of Ropley a century ago) its essential character has remained substantially unaltered. It is

4 5 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

Ropley Parish Boundary Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright

6 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Landscape & Setting EHDC has prepared a Landscape Character Assessment of the region 2.1 90% of inhabitants in Ropley have and refers to the ‘Ropley Downland moved into the parish rather than be- Mosaic’ in recognition of the unique- ing born here, a clear indication that ness of the area commerce and communications are now unable to sustain local employ- ough many hedges and trees have ment for successive generations. People been lost in the process of farms are attracted because of the beautiful merging into larger units there is a countryside and the option of com- strengthening replanting trend and the muting to the towns and cities within parish is still well wooded overall, with a 20–50 mile radius. e landscape of many smaller copses and fields. Indeed Ropley is its major asset, and the most comparing the village today with pho- fragile. It was a former Area of Special tographs at the turn of the 20th century Landscape Quality (Local Plan 1st review 1996) and there are acknowledged panoramic views over extensive pasture 1 (1) Covered and arable fields dotted with woods and footpath at farmsteads. ese views can be reached Lyeway by an excellent network of 45 well used footpaths, making it attractive walking (2) Arable country. With ridges forming hills to all farming is an the borders of the parish, the village has important part the benefit of a tree-lined horizon in of the local every quadrant. economy

7 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

(1) Swelling it is striking how the overall appearance 1 Hill — a has improved, thanks to tree planting classic sunken and preservation efforts by villagers lane through the century.

2.2 e topography of the parish falls east to west, determining the direction of the several underground watercourses. ere is an undulating level of deep chalk, with the predominant surface soil being clay. It varies from very thin to filling hollows of several metres. Level areas where the clay is deeper tend to (2) is area waterlog. ese factors have in turn 2 of Hampshire determined the human land use, with has a long agricultural practice varying from cattle tradition of and sheep rearing on the higher, heavier sheep grazing ground to arable cropping with short term rotational grass on the more easily cultivated lighter soils.

2.3 e hedgerows are varied, some out- grown, some trimmed, but most are old and contain a wide variety of species including hazel, holly and field maple (woodland species), spindle, dogwood, (3) e Pond hawthorn, blackthorn and others. e 3 larger hedgerow trees are a mixture of oak, ash, beech and silver birch. Some of the most impressive hedgerows exist around the sunken lanes of Ropley, eight in total, some with complete cover but all in danger of erosion from traffic and Highway policy.

2.4 Some of the paddocks are remnants of older grasslands that have not been improved for agriculture, and rich in flowers. ese include sneezewort, rag- (4) Few ged robin, greater and common bird’s 4 hedgerows foot-trefoil, pepper saxifrage, cowslips, remain in orchids (Lyeway Lane), burnet saxi- some arable frage, violet helleborine, white helli- areas of the borine, polypody ferns, daphne laureda, village bluebells. Over 200 species of wild flower have been identified in the area and unsurprisingly 28 species of but- terfly dwell in these areas.

8 9 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

2.5 ere is a good spread of wildlife, with the proposed South Downs National badgers, foxes and numerous roe deer, Park. hares, stoats, weasels, pheasant and duck. Around 100 different species of Design guidelines birds have been seen nesting within the parish, including kestrels, sparrow a) e rural landscape of the hawks, buzzards, lesser spotted and parish must be maintained. green woodpeckers. b) New developments should be 2.6 ere are 8 Sites of Importance for landscaped to blend into the rural Nature Conservation (SINC’s) in the character of the area. parish and it is bordered on 3 sides by c) Property boundaries should be 1 defined using hedges of native (1) Pumping species, verges and ditches or low Stations impact fencing in keeping with the in Ropley style of the immediate area augment the level of the d) e rural character of the lanes River Arle should be respected particularly in retaining the hedgerows that define them.

e) Important public vistas within the Parish should not be obstructed by new development. 2 (2) A f ) Existing mature trees, hedgerows mountain of and banks are a valued feature of straw bales the village and should be removed — a valuable only in extreme circumstances. by-product Any new planting should be in from arable indigenous species. farming

g) Where ’phone masts are permitted they should be encouraged to share sites and minimise the impact on 3 the landscape. (3) Sweeping views looking south-east from near Ropley Station

8 9 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Highways & Byways speed restrictions on the A31, Peters- field Road, and in the village centre. 3.1 e village of Ropley is served by the Since the Village Appraisal the speed A31, Winchester Road (A class road), limit on the A31 has been reduced to and the C18 Petersfield Road (C class 40mph with additional traffic calming road). measures, in the form of island bollards and white lining being sited at strategic 3.2 e remainder of the roads are narrow points together with new speed oper- and often “sunken lanes”. ey have a ated warning signs. On the Petersfield “country lane” appearance, being largely Road a 40mph speed limit has been lined by native hedges, trees and banks. placed at the south-western end. In the Village Appraisal a significant majority of residents wanted these 3.5 Residents have identified excess surface features protected. As a part of the rural water on the highway as a problem in character of the village these roads do parts of Ropley, notably on the A31 at not have pavements or kerbs, at times (1) e A31 at leading to a conflict of interest for users. 1 Ropley 3.3 e characteristic ‘sunken lanes’ have suffered material damage due to the need to improve highway access for new developments. Inappropriate pass- ing bays, sight splays, fencing and gates are being inserted into the hedgerows and banks of lanes which can neither accommodate them without irrepara- (2) (four ble damage nor justify them without photos) —e changing the character of the lane itself. rural character New developments should not gener- of Ropley’s ally be permitted where the effect on roads the lanes is significantly detrimental. 2 Additionally, planning requirements should respect and harmonise with the style of these unclassified roads.

3.4 e village has a number of problems relating to traffic and road safety. In the Village Appraisal it was the number (3) Traffic one issue of concern amongst residents. 3 Calming Ropley has had an active Road Safety measures on Group operating in the village in recent A31 years. Current traffic problems within the village relate to the quantity, speed and size of vehicles using the roads and lanes. ere have already been a number of serious and fatal accidents in recent years on the A31. Significant numbers of residents have supported the use of

10 11 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

the Shant, at the western end of the 1 (1) Parking Petersfield Road and in Gascoigne problem areas Lane. is problem is in part due to the impermeable “clay cap” at Monkwood as well as a lack of ditch maintenance over the years. Signage and Furnishings 3.6 Although the majority of houses in Ropley have been built with sufficient 3.6 In the Village Appraisal many of the off-road parking some areas in the vil- residents were against an increase in lage were identified as being in need of street lighting and were against ad- additional parking. Areas include the ditional road warning signs, as it was village centre around the church, Dun- felt that these would change the rural sells Lane, Ropley Dean, Darvill Road character of the village. and the area around Ropley Station and the Watercress Line. 2 (2) Traditional waymarkers Design Guidelines — 1 should be retained, or a) e layout and design of new replaced with developments should consider the Footpaths and Bridleways similar signs, implications for safety and conven- when necessary ience of highway users. 3.7 ere is a large network of footpaths, bridleways and green lanes surrounding b) A new development should al- the village. However not all the foot- low vehicles to enter & leave in a paths link up, thus leading to pedes- forward gear. trians, cyclists and riders all having to compete with traffic on the roads and c) Speed limit and road signs should narrow lanes. A majority of residents be erected in consultation with felt that improved signposting of foot- the Parish Council, in a consistent paths and bridleways would be benefi- style and a design sympathetic with cial to the village and others who use the rural character of the village. the footpaths and bridleways.

d) All new developments should (3) A selection ensure adequate off-road parking. of Ropley footpaths and e) Road improvements should be de- signage signed to minimise the speed and quantity of traffic. 3

f ) New development should not significantly increase the scale or capacity of the existing road network which could be harmful to the character of the rural area

10 11 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

(1) e busiest Design guidelines — 2 1 area of the A31 unusually a) Highway improvements should re- quiet here. spect the rural nature of the village; for example unnecessary kerbs With the should be avoided. Petersfield Road junction, b) Street furniture should be erected the Shell only where necessary and in con- Garage, Pub sultation with the Parish Council. and industrial access — a c) e design and erection of signs complex road for footpaths and bridleways layout exists. should be sympathetic with the rural nature of the village.

d) e layout and design of development should include sufficient (2) Even the provision of soakaways to prevent 2 smallest lanes discharge of surface water onto the sometimes highway. see the most unusual and e) Ditches form a natural part of the unsuitable drainage system, contribute to the traffic! character of the village and should be maintained to prevent flooding.

f ) Unnecessary street lighting should be avoided.

g) All new developments should be designed to conserve roadside hedges and banks.

(3) Devastated 3 4 hedgerow in Park Lane to permit new development (see para 3.3).

(4) New speed-sensitive “Slow Down” signs in action

12 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

The Settlement to give a spacious and rural aspect.

pattern 4.2 ere are two Conservation Areas in the centre of the village where strict 4.1 Over 90% of dwellings in Ropley are planning controls apply. Outside this detached. is “open” characteristic area two small estates of newer terraced stems from the historic growth of farms housing have been built off Dunsell’s and small-holdings on which “colonial” Lane and Gascoigne Lane, and af- type bungalows were erected after the fordable housing off Church Street. First World War, to be replaced over However, most people live in scattered the years by more modern dwellings. detached homes along Monkwood, e newer dwellings are mainly of indi- Parkstone Lane, Stapley Lane, Soames vidual style, the majority on large plots Lane, Petersfield Road, Gascoigne Lane and surrounded by trees and hedgerows and the linking lanes.

1 (1) Conservation areas shown in blue

2 (2) Settlement boundaries shown in pink

(Maps reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright)

13 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

4.3 e application and frequent reviews of hence the settlement policy boundary planning laws in the 80s and 90s have encompasses gardens as well as houses. appeared inconsistent to the Parish. Now PPG3 is in place each site must Garage conversions and dormer win- be carefully considered on its merits, es- dows that overlook and affect nobody pecially regarding the effect on the area and are in keeping with the building and neighbouring properties. Piecemeal can be turned down, while substan- backland tandem development should tial dwellings go through on appeal be discouraged. seemingly irrespective of whether the positioning and materials are in keep- 4.6 e Village Appraisal suggested the ing with the locality or not. As time need for homes for local people was goes on there is less of an obvious “local relatively low, and when asked what style” to conform to, and there is a dan- type of development would be accept- ger of infilling, with the parish becom- able the majority were in favour of ing indistinguishable from a suburban converting redundant buildings. How- development. ever, Hale Close is an example of new development of affordable housing (1–2 4.4 e draft East Hampshire District bedroom units) which has taken place Local Plan Second Review was first since the Appraisal on ‘greenfield’ land published in the autumn of 1999, and as an exception site. For this develop- was adopted in March 2006. is is ment the community, the Parish Coun- expected to considerably curtail the cil and EHDC were all involved to inappropriate development that took ensure a sympathetic design for multi- place before the plan was adopted. ple dwellings and to meet the local need for 1 and 2 bedroom houses. 4.5 Additional pressure is exerted by government guidance PPG3. When 4.7 ere is a history of developments the policy boundary was drawn back in occurring within the Winchester 1999, PPG3 did not exist and there- City Council area, but adjacent to the fore the issues of backland tandem EHDC area — and almost within development were not considered, Ropley — without consultation within

(1) Hale Close 1 — a recent example of Parish-led design

14 15 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Ropley Parish. It appears necessary to create a formal notification and consultation procedure for property and land development adjoining the EHDC western boundary where it runs along the Ropley parish boundary.

Design guidelines

a) Due consideration should be given to the East Hampshire Local Development Framework policies and the settlement policy boundaries which define what can and cannot be done inside and outside the boundaries.

b) e predominantly linear form of the settlements should be maintained rather than building any new estates or other developments that change the shape of the village or result in the creation of new public roads. Small developments may be appropriate under the East Hampshire Local Plan 2nd Review for affordable housing, but these developments should not coalesce into one large development.

c) New residential development within the settlement policy boundary will be confined to redevelopment of previously developed land and buildings, conversion, subdivision or change of use of buildings and infilling (EHDC Local Plan nd2 Review).

d) e bulk, scale, form and use of materials of new development should be designed in a way that respects the quality and character of the local environment and neighbouring properties.

e) e density of housing should always respect the surrounding properties to preserve the rural character of the parish.

f ) e linear nature of Ropley is characteristic of the parish. Piecemeal backland tandem development should be discouraged. It is essential that any possible tandem development complies with policy and does not risk overdevelopment, overlooking or overshadowing, loss of amenity or daylight to existing residents, harm to the character of the village, access and traffic problems or drainage issues.

g) e gaps between the various defined settlement policy boundaries should be preserved and protected from inappropriate development.

h) No industrial or commercial development that could lead to significant adverse impact on the rural character of the parish should be permitted.

i) e “green gaps” between Ropley and adjacent settlements should be preserved and protected from inappropriate development.

14 15 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Building Forms with slate or plain tiled roofs, including some with painted walls and tile hang- & Materials ing.

5.1 Buildings in Ropley are mainly residen- 5.3 Most recent development has seen the tial, stretching from the north of the replacement of modest size dwellings A31, west to North street, then south by larger properties of varying styles, to what might be considered to be the some of which have paid no respect to centre around the Church, Parish Hall the established character of their loca- and Recreation Ground, and on up tion. Some modern materials have been the Petersfield Road to Monkwood. used which are quite inappropriate to Along the way they take in several side a rural environment, such as large scale roads where post-1st World War ribbon concrete interlocking roof tiles, plastic development has been permitted. wall cladding and flat roofs, so that it is difficult to establish a common style in 5.2 Development over the centuries has the architectural make-up of the village. resulted in a varied mixture of building styles. From the 16th-19th centuries roughout the area, however, there is a there are clusters of brick houses, some predominance of two storey dwellings, of which have been painted, with tiled generally of facing brick construction or thatched roofs mainly in the Con- having pitched roofs covered in slate or servation Areas, and larger Georgian plain tiles. Some rendered and painted dwellings on substantial plots. houses exist throughout the village.

Interspersed with the above are terraces of smaller houses either of brick or flint

(1 & 2) 1 2 Larger 18th and 19th century dwellings on substantial plots

(3 & 4) 3 4 Good examples of a variety of elevation treatments in harmony with each other

16 17 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

1 2 (1) Example of Plastic Cladding

(2) Example of an inappropriate flat-roofed Porch

3 4 (3) Painted brickwork under tiled roof

(4) Modern facing brickwork under slated roof

Photographs 3, 4 and 5 show some of 5.6 ere are examples of plastic cladding the more modern houses which il- at first floor levels but this treatment is lustrate the above points and present alien to the vast majority of houses and modest well-designed features that have should be not be permitted in future. (5) Flintwork fitted well into the village: Timber cladding has been successfully with brick used on a few properties and this form quoins and Building Forms and Materials of treatment has blended in well with dormer the rural environment. windows External Facing Materials

5.4 Whilst there is a profusion of materials 5 in existence, the predominant theme is that of facing brickwork, sometimes relieved by brick and/or flint bandings and panels. In addition the upper floors of some dwellings have been clad in tile hanging, either plain or with patterns of decorative tiles worked into the design.

5.5 Some houses have been built in knapped flint work with brick quoins, sills and lintels and these properties have made a valuable contribution to the rural setting. A handsome example is shown in photograph 5.

16 17 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

(1) Facing 1 2 brickwork with well proportioned windows and porches (2) Good example of patterned tile hanging

(3) Knapped 3 flint with brick quoins

(4) Hardwood cladding under half hipped roof

(5) Painted timber cladding over brick plinth

(6) Painted timber cladding at first floor level

4 5

18 19 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Design guidelines strongly discouraged in future. In addition, the patterning of different col- External Facing Materials: oured roof tiles on one building should be avoided, as again this treatment is a) Where facing brickwork is used alien to the village as a whole. in new developments traditional red/brown is preferred. In any 5.9 ere are a small number of flat roof case extremes of colouration when extensions, generally over garages, but compared with other brickwork in this form of roofing tends not to be the vicinity should be avoided. visually harmonious and, where practi- cal, it would be better to provide a slop- b) Traditional timber cladding and ing roof. knapped flint are also excellent alternatives and should be encouraged. 1 (1 & 2) Typical c) Tile Hanging can successfully be thatched used on the upper storey of new properties dwellings to relieve the effect of within the large un-adorned single coloured village brickwork.

d) Plastic cladding on elevations should be strongly discouraged.

Roofs and Chimneys 2

5.7 Within the Conservation Areas or where a Listed Building is concerned, the existing roofing material may well be thatch. Whilst this is a most attractive and traditional rural material, it is unrealistic to expect new properties to adopt this form of covering, even supposing they were to be within the Conservation Areas.

5.8 For the majority of roofs, the use of 3 (3) is slate or plain clay tiles has blended in illustrates well everywhere within the village but the over in recent times the use of large scale dominance of interlocking concrete tiles has become a low pitched more common. roof with large concrete tiles ese tiles are not in keeping or in scale with the traditional roofing materials of the village and their use should be

18 19 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

5.10 e use of fully or half-hipped gable (1) Tastefully ends and dormers are common to both 1 designed older and newly built properties and chimney where the design is handled well, their use can reduce substantially the impact of a roofscape. is is illustrated below.

5.11 e design of chimneys should be considered to be in scale with the general roof scapes.

Design guidelines

(2) Good 2 Roofs and Chimneys example of hipped gable a) Roof sizes should not appear to end dominate the development or the surrounding buildings and their pitches should be in keeping with those in the vicinity.

b) e use of large-scale interlocking concrete roof tiles should be strongly avoided.

(3) Good 3 c) e use of “velux” type units and example of solar panels should be carefully hipped dormer considered and should be avoided windows on frontages.

d) Flat roofs are unlikely to blend in successfully and should therefore be discouraged.

e) Dormers can be used to reduce the overall impact and appearance of height of any new building but care (4) Careful 4 should be taken in the detailing and design spacing of such elements. resulting in an interesting f ) Extensions to existing properties and should reflect the original build- varied roof ing’s characteristics, be in propor- impression tion to the rest of the design and be of traditional design and format.

20 21 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Doors and Windows

5.12 ere is a very wide variation in the 1 (1) Example designs, colour and materials in which of well these elements have been incorporated proportioned into the newer dwellings. windows with glazing bars 5.13 Timber doors, either painted or stained, and stone sills. of solid construction, half-glazed or fully glazed are common, with the relatively new addition of white or dark wood-grained uPVC doors and side lights.

5.14 Windows are predominantly in timber, painted or dark stained, but the use of uPVC double glazed units in new buildings or for replacements is increas- Design guidelines ing, especially in order to meet the ever more energy saving requirements of Doors and Windows: the Building Regulations. e glazing varies from small pane leaded lights a) In Conservation Areas and on (genuine or fake) through the whole Listed Buildings, the style and gamut to large plate glass windows materials used in any extensions or uninhibited by glazing bars. in replacements of doors and windows should be to the same design 2 and in the same materials, using (2) Well similar constructional techniques designed as the originals. cottage style window under b) Elsewhere, doors and windows arched lintel should reflect the style in which the building is mainly constructed and materials and colours should harmonise accordingly. However it is recognised that more modern materials, such as uPVC and powder-coated aluminium sections cannot be precluded, but 3 where possible should be confined (3) uPVC to groups of dwellings so that a window consistent “look” is achieved. e enhanced by careful use of glazing bars can help lead flashing to retain a well designed look to a detail new window.

20 21 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Design guidelines Porches

Porches: 5.15 Existing porch styles are mostly simple open sided structures, some with timber a) e pitch of any new porch, posts on brick dwarf walls and others whether to a new or existing dwell- on cantilever brackets. In an increasing (1) Successful ing should reflect that of the main number of cases, porches are being in- flat roofed roof or adjacent dormers. filled to provide a draught lobby and/or porch with extra space. In most cases the materials lead finish b) Porches should be in proportion used to roof the porch match those of to the overall main frontage of the the main house, but where the pitch is (2) Painted house and reflect its character and shallow, traditional materials such as timber style. lead have been used. work with cantilevered c) Where in-filling of a porch is brackets required, it should be done in a design that fits the rest of the house 2 (3) Natural and in materials that are sympa- oak supports to thetic to its location. porch roof

22 23 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Garages and Car Ports Design guidelines

1 Garages and Car Ports: (1) Example of freestanding a) Where a new garage or car port is garage using to be constructed, it should not be natural oak sited so as to dominate the existing boarding building or intrude too much on the plot. In general, the materials to be used should be similar to those employed for the main building.

b) Where new garages are permitted Conservatories they should be retained for that purpose only and not be sited in 2 a prominent position or in front (2) of the dwelling. Applications for Example of change of use of an existing garage conservatory to additional habitable accommo- designed dation must include provision for integrally parking. to modern dwelling

3 (3) Example Design guidelines of conservatory added to Conservatories: period property

a) Conservatories should be sited with particular care since in the majority of cases the material to be used is likely to be uPVC which may not fit well if added to some of the older properties in the village. 4 (4) Example b) Consideration as to the rural of garage character of the proposed location linked to should be taken into account so as house by to minimise the impact on the en- conservatory vironment and on any view of the property seen from the surrounding roads and/or public footpaths.

22 23 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

(1) Well Boundary Walls, Gates & Pavings 3 designed timber gates 5.16 Walls, gates and pavings should be and entrance designed to fit their surroundings. walling Outside of the Settlement Boundaries hedgerows and boundary treatments (2) Entrance should be encouraged.. gateway using knapped flint 1 infill panel 4

(3) Block pavings at entrance to private forecourt

(4) Matured boundary wall construction 2 5

(5) Brickwork blended with knapped flints used in a screen wall

(6 – 9) 6 7 Details of some other carefully designed modern buildings

8 9

24 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Commerce & Industry ings should not be permitted where existing buildings are suitable or have 6.1 ere are over 100 businesses in the been changed to non-agricultural use. parish, but only a minority employ If the existing cannot be used then a re- more than one person. e largest placement agricultural building should employer is the school, followed closely be built on the same site and footprint by the Toyota garage and the Dean as the redundant structure. Older re- surgery. dundant farm buildings built in traditional style (e.g. brick & flint) could be 6.2 Farming is still a significant feature, used for offices or other suitable uses. though no longer a major employer. Conversion to unsympathetic industrial Most of the acreage is now farmed in uses in entirely rural (and often resi- large units of nearer 1000 acres rather dential) landscapes is not appropriate. than the 200 acres common a genera- A good example of a conversion that is tion or so ago. sympathetic to its landscape is that of the old agricultural buildings at Sutton 6.3 In terms of shops, there is one general Manor Farm in neighbouring Bishop’s shop (Dene Stores), the Village Post Sutton. Office & Shop and the petrol station on the A31. 1 (1, 2 & 3) Sutton Manor 6.4 ere are a number of specialist nurs- Farm, Bishop’s ery growers, a winery and some light Sutton manufacture. 60% of the population are economically active, though only 20% work within Ropley. Two thirds travel more than 5 miles to work, with well over 80% travelling by car.

6.5 Most villagers either work away from 2 the village, or, in increasing numbers, work from home. e businesses that currently exist largely employ people who live outside the village. Many villagers are retired and only leave to go shopping or on holiday.

6.6 While villagers do not wish to lose the industry we have, there is very little demand for expanded employment 3 opportunities within the village, other than through home working, and so any future development is seen as being largely residential.

6.7 Modern farm buildings no longer required for agricultural purposes should be demolished. New agricultural build-

25 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

6.8 Coordination with neighbouring plan- Design guidelines ning authorities such as Winchester City Council should be maintained When making decisions about to ensure that developments affecting new development or change of Ropley are fully reviewed. use of existing buildings;

a) e scale and appearance of Com- (1) An 1 mercial and Industrial properties unsympathetic should be in keeping with the rural development character of Ropley. with hazardous b) e effects of Commercial develop- access ment on neighbouring residential provision properties should be given prime consideration.

c) Where any commercial develop- (2) Ropley’s 2 ment is found to be appropriate, Shell Filling soft and hard screening should be Station on the provided to screen the site. A31 d) Conservation of existing banks and hedges and landscaping should be fundamental in alterations of land for commercial and agricultural development.

(3) Ropley 3 e) Any development should minimise Toyota, one impact on lanes, road junctions and of the largest existing traffic calming. employers in the village f ) Preservation of existing structures in Industrial and Commercial development need not be essential where a more sympathetic modern design can be shown to be prefer- able. (4) Opposite 4 Ropley Church — the new village shop and Post- Office

26 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

Sport & Recreation 1 (1) Ropley Parish Hall 7.1 Helped perhaps by the position of the centre away from the main roads, and the stalwart support of some long-term resident families, Ropley enjoys an unusually strong community spirit and life with approximately 24 local organi- zations contributing.

7.2 Current community groups and ac- 2 (2) tivities include; Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Locomotive Brownies, Guides, Junior Cricket, “Bodmin” Ropley Amateur Dramatic Society, in steam at Junior Drama Groups, Family Drama Ropley Station Group, Junior Football (boys and girls), Ropley Cricket Club (6 teams fielded), Ropley Football Club, Ropley Lawn Tennis Club, Ropley Bowling Club, Ropley Society, Horticultural Society, Ropley annual Pram Race, Bi-annual Village Fayre, Boxing Day walk. 3 (3) Children’s 7.3 Venues available include: Ropley CofE play area at School, St. Peter’s Church, Anchor the Recreation public house, Chequers public house, Ground Ropley Coffee Rooms, Sports Pavilion, Scout Hut, Watercress Line Railway, Romps play area, recreation ground. Plans have been discussed to update and expand the Village Hall, this could be done and at the same time success- (4) A very fully reduce the impact of the Hall’s rural look to dated style. the play area!

7.4 ere was substantial support in the 4 Village Appraisal for the idea of a new multi sports Pavilion, with 502 people suggesting applying for National Lot- tery Funding. is has been realised from Sport England, EHDC, Ropley Parish Council and others with the balance being met by the community to replace the existing pavilion with a modern structure which can accommodate multiple sports groups. Other sports already needing space are ar- chery, ultimate frisbee, pop lacrosse

27 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

(1 & 2) 1 and pétanque — others will follow in e the next few years. e village there- Hampshire fore desperately needs more land to Hunt develop these sports, as approved by Sport England and EHDC who have given generous grants to help us fulfil the Government objective of increasing participation in sport.

(3) Ropley 2 3 Pram Race

Design Guidelines (4) Ropley 4 Bowling Club a) e layout and design of new development should take account of mobile recreations such as cycling, horse riding and walking particularly with respect to road usage.

b) New developments should not encroach on existing open spaces (5) e new so as to preserve the recreational Ropley Sports opportunities of the parish. Pavilion

28 29 2006 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 2006

1 7.5 e Watercress Line is 10 miles long, (1) Brave running between Alresford and Alton, passengers with its centre of activities in Ropley. It and strong was once part of the British main-line parents in the network but is now operated as a herit- Wheelbarrow age steam railway. e steeply-graded Race route means that large and powerful locomotives are the hallmark of the line, now a major tourist attraction.

2 7.6 e annual Ropley Pram race is the (2) Ropley main village feature, having been run Tennis Club since 1965. It is organised by a committee of local sporting organisations and other bodies. e Ropley 10K road race has become an established fixture, with up to 500 competitors. Various village walks, especially the annual Box- ing Day walk, are well supported. e 3 Hampshire Hunt, always known as the (3) Ropley HH, dates from about 1745 and is sited Station on discretely off the Petersfield Road. Mid Hants Railway 7.7 Other proposed action:

 Siting of floodlighting for sports facilities must be sympathetic to neighbouring properties. Appropriate shielding should be used to prevent light overspill, and 4 motion sensitive switching with timeouts (4) St. Peter’s used where possible. Church  Parking for any expansion of facilities must be considered carefully so as not to dominate the area but provide adequate and realistic space for vehicles.  Youth clubs and facilities should be nur- tured. 5 (5) Ropley  Extra space should be made available Scout Hut for the recreation ground to expand and permit rotation of pitches.  Developers contributions should be put towards enhancing existing sport and recreational facilities.

28 29 2004 ROPLEY VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

 Other New vehicle accesses made into unclassified roads such as Recommendations Soames Lane, Park Lane and Webb Lane should be controlled  Utility company masts and in- to prevent destruction of hedge- frastructures should not impact rows and an increase in traffic. on the views and vistas within  the parish. Service cables should e Parish Hall should be en- be buried wherever possible. hanced to address the needs of the varied groups and activities  Effort should be devoted to an within the parish. assessment of the biodiversity of  the parish. Where developments are close- to or broach the boundaries of  A record of visually signifi- EHDC & Winchester wards, cant trees & hedges should be close liaison between the two established. is was previously councils must be encouraged to carried out by the Parish Tree ensure Ropley’s views are given warden and there is support for sufficient weight. A recent exam- this post to be continued. ple being the Commercial Units on the A31 opposite the Shell  Trees and woodland areas should Garage — those fell into the be maintained and safeguarded Winchester ward — but have far against development. more impact on Ropley, yet the Parish was insufficiently involved or consulted.

(1) Glorious 1 field of poppies seen from the A31 — unusual spring weather conditions in 2006 produced some rare and spectacular poppy displays