Design Summarysummary Contents Preface 2 Using the Eden Design Summary 3 1

DesignDesign SummarySummary Contents Preface 2 Using the Eden Design Summary 3 1. Introduction 4 2. The Eden Countryside 6 3. The Character Areas 8 3.1 The Eden Valley 8 3.2 Westmorland Limestone 10 3.3 The North Pennines 12 3.4 Generic Features 13 4. The Design Framework 19 4.5 Using the Design Framework 20 4.6 Landscape Setting 20 4.7 Village Form and Identity 21 4.8 Building Character 22 5. Contacts 23 6. Further Reading 24 1 Preface The purpose of the Eden Design Summary is to provide The Design Summary provides a broadly based analysis guidance on the design of development, based upon the of these characteristics which may be used by individual considerations set out in this regard in the adopted Eden communities as a basis for more detailed Village Design Local Plan. Although concentrating on new development, Statements. The Countryside Commission publishes particularly housing, the design principles can also be guidance on how these may be prepared. applied to extensions, alterations and conversions of This Design Summary applies to that part of Eden District existing buildings. The approach taken reflects the Government’s guidance on design as set out in Planning outside the Lake District National Park. Policy Guidance Note 1 “General Policy and Principles. The Eden Local Plan sets out the District Council’s aims This indicates that Local Planning Authorities such as Eden with regard to the design of development. The Design District Council, should promote good design, but that Summary represents adopted supplementary planning guidance should avoid being doctrinaire in nature. guidance, and is intended to provide a more detailed level of advice than is practicable within the Local Plan. The Eden Design Summary also responds to the Countryside Commission’s initiative concerning “local The Design Summary includes that part of the District distinctiveness” which has Government support. It does lying within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding this by seeking to encourage design which responds to the Natural Beauty (AONB). However, a separate and more local context for development, reflecting the special detailed design guide is also currently being prepared for characteristics of design and materials found in the the whole of the North Pennines AONB by the relevant District. It seeks to inform the user about the built tradition local authorities and statutory agencies, in recognition of of the area and to focus attention on specific factors which the special qualities of that area. That guide will be should be considered in order that designs for new available in draft form in Summer 1999, and, although development have proper regard to their context. very different in style, should complement the advice to be found in this Design Summary. It is also intended to be adopted as supplementary planning guidance in due course. 2 Using the Eden Design Summary Developers and property owners are encouraged to have Chapters 1 and 2 provide an introduction to the Design early discussions with development control officers of the Summary and to Eden District. Council concerning ways of ensuring that their proposals enhance and develop landscape and village character. Chapter 3 provides a brief description of the three main While the Design Summary provides basic guidance, it character areas which have been identified, focusing on cannot substitute for the contribution that an appropriately the materials and design features which make them qualified design professional can make to the satisfactory distinctive. This section also describes characteristics completion of many development projects. which appear more widely throughout the District. It is intended that this section of the document will provide a The District Council would welcome designs that context for the design framework which is set out in demonstrate a positive response to the Eden Design Chapter 4. Summary. Chapter 4 represents the core of the Design Summary. It provides a detailed checklist of points to consider and questions to be answered by designers and developers in relation to three distinct aspects of a site and its setting; � the surrounding landscape, � settlement form, � surrounding buildings and spaces. 3 1. Introduction 1.1 England has a rich diversity of landscape and 1.4 The Design Summary describes the essential scenery and the countryside within Eden District character of the District. In so doing it focuses on is no exception. Located between, and including the distinctive vernacular character of buildings in parts of, the Lake District and the North Pennines each area, rather than on the character of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the landscape landscape which has been described in detail in of Eden is of exceptional character and quality. other publications. It also provides guidance on the general principles that should be adopted by 1.2 The District’s small towns and villages are an designers, developers, builders and property essential part of the countryside and their distinctive owners in order to ensure that all development, character and variety is a reflection of their history, from a major new estate to a small house extension, landscape context and the underlying geology. enhances countryside character rather than detracts Pressure for change has resulted from the demand from it. Although the Design Summary takes for new buildings and for refurbishment to traditional design and materials as its starting point, accommodate new uses. In addition, improved it does not preclude innovative design solutions mobility and transport infrastructure has led to a where these respect or reinforce local character and loss of local diversity and distinctiveness and the distinctiveness, or the use of non-vernacular styles gradual erosion of that special local character which or materials where the site is considered suitable is so highly prized. and the architectural approach is justified. 1.3 Whilst it would be inappropriate to prevent development, new buildings should respect patterns of regional diversity and local distinctiveness. Harmony should exist between the character of the landscape, settlement patterns and the buildings themselves. 4 1.5 Opportunities for a broad range of development occur throughout the District. It is recognised that a special approach should be taken to achieve the very highest standards in designated areas such as the North Pennines AONB and in Conservation Areas. Equally, it is of vital importance that more modest development, for example on the edge of a settlement or as infill of vacant plots, is undertaken with sensitivity throughout the District. It must be emphasised that such sensitivity to local character need have no adverse cost implications to the developer. 1.6 The Design Summary does not attempt to provide a comprehensive analysis of the architectural development of the District or a detailed guide to design in the countryside, or prescribe specific design solutions. It does, however, seek to capture the distinctive spirit of broad areas of Eden which share similar characteristics. It is hoped that this context, and the Design Framework set out later in the document, will help individual projects to be designed in a sympathetic and creative manner. To this end three broad character areas within the District have been identified which show a measure of homogeneity of design or materials. 5 2. The Eden Countryside 2.1 The diversity of the Eden countryside and the in response to a wider knowledge of formal settlements within it, are the products of physical and architectural design and fashions, adapted to suit historic influences which have acted through time, local materials, in a way that has become part of shaping the basic structure and appearance of the the established character of the area. landscape and the materials available to its inhabitants. Drawing upon this resource, the settlements and buildings of Eden vary in terms of their materials, layout and design. These variations are a response to the landscape setting, materials available, climatic conditions and historic influences. The Design Summary attempts to outline the basic characteristics of the domestic vernacular tradition as found within the District’s settlements. 2.2 The vernacular tradition outlined in this document relates primarily to those buildings constructed from the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries, with the Fig 1. House showing typical ‘polite’ styling and detailing earlier of these buildings being more truly 2.3 Although there are minor variations throughout the vernacular in character, reflecting also earlier District, and particularly within the larger medieval styles. In referring to the vernacular settlements, three broad character areas have been tradition, the Design Summary is alluding to a identified which reflect distinct variations in process whereby local craftsmen met functional building traditions and materials. These are: requirements according to traditional plans and � The Eden Valley procedures, utilising local materials and constructional methods. Later buildings in the area � Westmorland Limestone tend to incorporate “polite” styling and detailing � The North Pennines 6 2.4 These variations derive principally from the crofts and strip fields by a back lane. The dwellings underlying geology and as a consequence there is a and associated farm buildings tend to be located close correlation between these and the character fronting onto, or at right angles to, the village street of the broader

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