Petersfield Planning Guide April 2018

This is a guide to planning in Petersfield. It introduces the role of the Town Council, key policies, procedures and expectations that applicants should respond to. The intention is to help establish a clear understanding of the processes and how these respond to the vision for Petersfield. It will be useful for anyone making, commenting on or determining a planning application. PETERSFIELD PLANNING GUIDE April 2018

Tilmore Brook

1. Role of the Town Council Sheet Petersfield Town Council is consulted Planning decisions are taken in by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) accordance with the adopted whenever a planning application is Development Plan which, for Petersfield

Wincester Rd submitted within Petersfield. Although consists of the Petersfield Neighbourhood the Town Council does not make planning Plan, the jointly adopted EHDC / SDNPA decisions it does submit comments to the Local Plan and the Hampshire Minerals authority for consideration in determining and Waste Plan. However, the Local Plan Tilmore Brook Petersfield applications. These are discussed at the will soon be replaced by the new South first available Town Council meeting. Downs Local Plan being prepared by the These meetings are open to the public SDNPA. Policies within the new Local Plan and may be attended by the applicant need to be taken into consideration as a The Petersfield Petersfield and local residents. Opportunities may material consideration as the Local Plan Heath School also exist to speak at these meetings. In proceeds closer to adoption. The Local the first instance, members of the public Plan and policies cannot be afforded full

Heath Rd should direct enquiries to their ward weight until the Local Plan is formally Councillor. adopted by SDNPA.

The LPA is the South Downs National The Town Council welcomes the receipt Park Authority (SDNPA). However, of comments on planning applications planning applications in Petersfield are from the community. These can be made currently dealt with by East Hampshire direct to the Town Council or to the Local District Council (EHDC) under an Agency Planning Authority. If you wish to submit a agreement between SDNPA and EHDC comment to the Town Council, or speak at unless SDNPA ‘calls in’ an application a meeting, please contact the Town Clerk This guide applies to the area within the Petersfield KEY to be determined by the SDNPA. These in the first instance. Any comments made Town Council boundary, outlined in the plan. In part, this will be the more significant types of should relate strictly to planning matters. follows the settlement boundary of Petersfield. Although Petersfield Town Council Boundary Sheet is contiguous with Petersfield it falls within the development which potentially generate Please note that Town Councillors neighbouring Parish and so not covered by this guide. Built Up Area particular, special or major issues for the National Park. Further information on are obliged to act in accordance with Conservation Area Petersfield is an area of great character and heritage, the ‘call in’ procedures and more details certain codes of conduct. On occasion, it includes Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings on what SDNPA considers to be ‘major Councillors may declare a particular Green Space that benefit from policy protections. It also sits within issues’ for the National Park can be found interest in a matter to be discussed. In the South Downs National Park which enjoys strong Rail Station here: https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/ such instances they will be unable to vote landscape and environmental protection. planning/planning-applications/called-in- or be present during the relevant decision Railway making process. Sources of data: applications/. Petersfield Neighbourhood Development Plan: www.southdowns.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/20150927-PNP-Made-Plan.pdf Conservation Area Extension 2013: www.easthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/PetersfieldConservationArea2013Amendements.pdf 2 3 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right (2017) PETERSFIELD PLANNING GUIDE Summary Planning Application Process April 2018

2. The Planning Application Process Approach LPA Consult with for formal the Town When preparing an application it is important Petersfield Conservation Character advice Council that you familiarise yourself with the Appraisal and Management Plan. All submission requirements, or validation list applicants for development within the Undertake (links to this and other useful documents are conservation area, or close to it, should Review all policy community Pre-application on page 11). These will vary depending on the refer to the guidance outlined in this and guidance consultantion documents Stage + stakeholder type and scale of development proposed. The document. engagement

LPA holds a list of requirements and will be Pre-application Stage able to advise on what material needs to be The Town Council welcomes consultation submitted. and engagement, and the opportunity to help shape and comment on proposals before The application material will need to respond they are submitted. Issues that the Town to relevant planning policies in the Local Plan. Council will review include: Prepare material and In addition, Petersfield Town Council has • Consistency with the Local Plan and apply for Planning prepared a neighbourhood plan. This was Neighbourhood Plan policies. Permission prepared with the support of the community Town Applicants / and includes policies that are locally • The scale of development, design, Council consultees can appearance, layout and materials submits present to town important and must be responded to when comments council preparing an application for development in proposed. Potential site visits by LPA Formal consultation Petersfield. • The proposed use of the development. and Committee undertaken by LPA and members application considered The Town Council has also prepared a • Access arrangements, highway safety Applicant / and traffic. consultees can Petersfield Town Design Statement, which comment to Town identifies locally distinctive characteristics, • Loss of important open space and or Council and direct to LPA the materials used, scale and type of physical features. Opportunities for Town Council/ LPA Development buildings, and architectural features that Management Committee • Overlooking, loss of privacy and daylight. applicant/others help maintain and enrich the setting of the to speak at consideres application town. All applicants should refer to this and • Noise, disturbance and smells. committee demonstrate how they have responded to local character and quality. The SDNPA has a checklist that should be

used for householder applications. The Application and Decision-Making Stage In addition to this, much of Petersfield checklist should be completed accurately Potential appeal Decision notice town centre and its surrounds is as the veracity and accuracy of submitted process/revised issued to application applicant designated as a conservation area. This checklists will be checked and if further is broken down into seven different information is required it may delay character areas and the key features determination of your application. of each identified and outlined in the Recommended Steps Statutory process Other possible steps

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3. Important Planning Policies

The Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan The Neighbourhood Plan includes was ‘made’ in January 2016 and covers key policies for housing and the built the period to 2028. It establishes environment which must be adhered to a vision and set of objectives for when submitting planning applications. Petersfield that reflect the aspirations This includes which building materials of local people. should be used, how development should fit in with the natural environment, The Neighbourhood Plan presents a and policies that address the look of strategy for future change and growth, shop fronts. The Plan also introduces that sees future development retaining policies with regards to the provision of the compact nature of the town, with affordable housing, custom and self-build close connections to the surrounding housing, proposals for development landscape retained. in the Conservation Area and areas of special housing character. The vision sees the market town character and historic assets retained The neighbourhood plan comprises part and enhanced, with a vibrant of the statutory planning framework town centre supported by a mix for Petersfield and all applications of retail, business and residential must be prepared in accordance accommodation to meet the needs with the policies within it. The plan of the people of Petersfield and identifies areas for appropriate growth surrounding areas. and development, which will guide future change in the area. Applicants, Overall Site Allocation - Source: Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan consultees and decision-makers are www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/neighbourhood-planning/neighbourhood-development-plans/petersfield-neighbourhood-plan encouraged to familiarise themselves with this document

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4. Design Quality

Building for Life 12 is the national standard for delivering high quality new housing development. It establishes key principles that should be followed when Roofs: Consistency in terms of design and Tile Hanging: Commonly found on the side walls of preparing proposals for development, materials is key in preserving and enhancing the dwellings. Hand made plain clay tiles with a slight particularly in relation to the scale and local character. colour variation. layout of development. Policies in the The Town Design Statement encourages Special care should be taken with Neighbourhood Plan require proposals new development to respect the regard to proposals for development for all new housing development to be character of existing buildings and in the Conservation Area, such that accompanied by a Building for Life 12 layouts, local materials, colours and any new development makes a positive assessment, showing how the proposal roof types. Innovative and contribution to local character and scores against good design principles. contemporary designs are welcomed distinctiveness. With reference to the and should be of the highest standard Design Statement and Conservation The emerging SDNPA Local Plan and be complementary to their context Area Appraisal, proposals in this area promotes a landscape-led approach and buildings in the vicinity. Proposals should have particular regard to: to development, responding to the for new development should consider • Simple building forms and domestic sensitive setting of the National the area specific guidance presented in scale. Park. The Petersfield Town Design the Town Design Statement responding Statement provides design guidance to the particular characteristics • Use of traditional building and recommendations for Petersfield local to the proposed development site. materials. and Sheet. The Statement seeks Proposals should also respond • Plot size and depth. continuous improvement in the quality positively to the defining features of the • Varied roofscape. and sustainability of development and landscape, geological and topographical • Fenestration and shopfront design. Walls for elevations and boundaries: Ironstone, to raise local awareness and interest in features. The Petersfield iTree survey malmstone, sandstone, clunch, flint, and clay bricks the design of buildings and spaces which provides further useful information. • Boundary walls. Flint boundary walls are interspersed with brick contribute so much to the environment piers and capping. • Important trees, including Tree of Petersfield. The Statement should be The Town Design Statement also Preservation Orders used as a guide for anyone proposing outlines the importance of open spaces, Proposals that affect a statutory listed new development, including those flood matters, movement networks and Examples of important local features building require listed building consent. schemes which do not require approval. the quality of streets and spaces (the and materials are illustrated on these Any such proposals, including those public realm). pages. Further references can be found relating to a locally listed heritage asset, in the Town Design Statement. should be discussede with the LPA at the earliest possible stage.

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5. Engagement Useful links and documents:

The Town Council actively encourages Local policy and guidance applicants to consult on proposals for Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan new development, particularly at an www.petersfield-tc.gov.uk/policies/neighbourhood-plan early stage, to help inform successful development outcomes. This is important Petersfield Town Design Statement for all development, especially so for larger http://petersfield.pbworks.com/f/Petersfield+TDS+Statement+-+Reduced.pdf schemes and those in sensitive locations. Petersfield Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan Good, constructive communication is www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning/planning-advice/conservation-area-appraisals-and- about listening and learning, engaging in management-plans meaningful dialogue with residents and Petersfield Trees - iTree Eco Survey community groups. The use of interactive tools to help make consultation more http://petersfieldsociety.org.uk/itree.pdf 3. Prepare initial plans: Collaboration accessible to all, such as the use of flash with the community enables cards, for example, is recommended. Tips District wide policy and guidance: consideration to be given to all the for a successful consultation process are East Hampshire Local Plan issues. For larger sites, briefs and outlined below. www.easthants.gov.uk/planning-policy/local-plan masterplans might be prepared. 1. Frontloading: Consultation with the South Downs Local Plan community should help to inform your 4. Consultation events: Consultation www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning/national-park-local-plan proposals. This will give local people events should be organised in and organisations an opportunity ways which are convenient and SDNPA application validation check list: to input into the proposals. Early accessible to those whose views you www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning/making-an-application/local-validation-list discussions can improve the quality are seeking. This includes holding SDNPA Statement of Community Involvement of proposals and the efficiency of consultation events at varied times the process. They can also clarify any www.southdowns.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Statement-of-Community- issues of concern with a development, and in accessible locations, presenting Involvement-August-2017.pdf the information and assessments information in an understandable way. Shopfront and signs Design Guide: required, and the timescales for 5. Act on findings: Applicants should www.easthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/ShopfrontDesignGuide2015.pdf reaching a decision. show that they have taken comments 2. Engage with the Council: Make use into consideration, with any changes National Guidance: of pre-application planning services. made as deemed necessary. National Planning Policy Framework The LPA will help you understand www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2 how planning policies and other Further information on requirements for requirements affect your proposals. consultation and suggested approaches Planning Practice Guidance They will also help verify what can be found in the SDNPA Statement www.gov.uk/government/collections/planning-practice-guidance material needs submitting as part of of Community Involvement. Early and Building for Life 12 the application. ongoing consultation is recommended. www.builtforlifehomes.org

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Petersfield Town Council The Town Hall Heath Road Petersfield, GU31 4EA

T: 01730 264182

W: http://petersfield-tc.gov.uk

Created by: TROY PLANNING + DESIGN http://troyplanning.com

April 2018