Supplementary planning guidance note

Settlement Character Plan

Maghull-

December 2003

Andy Wallis Planning and Economic Regeneration Director Balliol House Balliol Road L20 3RY 1. Introduction small hamlets dispersed along a network of historic routes. and a. We have produced Settlement Plans particularly Sefton retain evidence of to describe the main features that this rural character. This network of make up the character of each of the historic routes provided a framework five urban districts in Sefton. The for later developments and still districts are based on the existing remains in place. settlements of Bootle, Crosby, , and . The b. Compared to other settlements in Settlement Plans consist of these Sefton the development of the guidance notes and the railways brought only limited growth. accompanying map, available from This growth occurred mainly to the the planning department. west of Maghull station and formed a distinct pocket of Victorian detached b. The Settlement Plans identifies the and semi-detached houses set in distinct character areas within each large plots. district, and are based on patterns of land use, building type and period of c. The major period of growth occurred development. Physical features such during the inter and post-war periods with the construction of large scale as key routes, landmarks, junctions G and boundaries are shown. The speculative suburban housing in plans also indicate the locations both Aintree and Maghull. Such development means there is little where Design Statements must be G prepared and submitted with a variation in the urban form . The early suburban housing used linearG and planning application. G curvilinear grid layouts that linked c. The plans should be used to develop into the existing route network with a scheme that responds positively to some evidence of field boundaries its contextG. Each plan also includes influencing plot layout. However the area-based design guidance that later housing developments are addresses specific issues relevant to planned around a network of that settlement area and must be distributor roads and cul-de-sacs that taken into account when developing a ignores the historic structure of the scheme. area. d. This guidance note and the 3. Broad Character Zones settlement plans are based on an (Residential) Urban Design Study of Sefton. The Residential Key Components of Character ASL tables below refer to information Character Study gathered by the study. Area Ref. Small pre- • Tight curvilinearG road layout MBCZ war semi- that links into the historic 1 e. Some of the technical terms in this detached route network. guidance are explained in a glossary housing • Brick and rendered at the back of the Design SPG. elevations. G • Small front gardens with These terms are indicated by a ‘ ’, the parking to side. first time they appear in each section • limited tree coverage. of the SPG. Large pre- • Spacious curvilinear road MBCZ war semi- layout. 2 detached • Brick and render elevations housing with curved bay windows & tiled roofs. 2. Assessment of the Local • Above average plot sizes. Character of Maghull/Aintree Victorian • Villas & detached properties MBCZ villas & set in spacious plots. 3 semi- • Development along historic th a. Prior to the mid 19 Century the area detached routes. was essentially rural with a series of housing • Evidence of historic plot boundaries influencing layout. Old Roan Local Centre • Use of red brick & slate roofs ASL Study Ref. ANRD1 with stonework. Description & Location Key Elements of Character • Dense, mature tree coverage. Local convenience • Purpose built 2 storey Post-war • Increasing use of cul-de-sacs MBCZ shopping & small shopping parades; semi- with little integration into 4 supermarket. upper floors a mix of detached historic route network. residential & storage. housing • Range of architectural styles Junction of Road • Development creates from 1950’s to 1970’s. & Altway. G sense of entry and Small • Ribbon development along MBCZ enclosure from Victorian historic routes. 5 Old Roan Station opposite. Ormskirk Road. semi- • Short front gardens, larger detached rear plots. housing • Red brick elevations and slate roofs. Ormskirk Road Retail • Clusters of mature trees. ASL Study Ref. ANRD2 Description & Location Key Elements of Character Mix of retail, leisure and • Single storey retail industrial uses. sheds set in large 4. Broad Character Zones areas of car parking (Commercial & Industrial) Adjacent to A59 Ormskirk with fast food Road. restaurants fronting highway. Maghull District Centre Aintree and Old Roan • A59 Ormskirk Road Stations provide access ASL Study Ref. MNRD1 forms barrier between via public transport. leisure and retail Description & Location Key Elements of Character elements. Mixed commercial area • 2/3 storey pavement • Poor quality containing ‘high street’ fronted ribbon landscaping to multiples, local development along highway. businesses, supermarket Road North. and civic/community • Purpose built 2 storey facilities. ‘U’ shaped shopping parade; upper floors a 5. Areas of Local Centred on triangular area mix of residential & bounded by Liverpool storage. Distinctiveness Road North to west, A59 • Single storey Northway to east and supermarket with Westway to the north. forecourt parking. a. Areas of Local Distinctiveness are • Community uses in low more closely defined areas within the Leeds/Liverpool Canal rise, detached buildings forms part of western set in district that have either retained their boundary of town centre. parking/landscape. original character or illustrate a • Weak sense of entry distinct or important period of growth into district centre. • Poor linkages between within a particular settlement. community facilities. Achieving a high standard of design • Westway isolates shopping parade from will be particularly important in these community uses and areas in order to preserve or enhance secondary retail. their established character. • Limited landscaping within retail core. b. The following have been defined as Areas of Local Distinctiveness Sefton Lane Industrial Estate within the area covered by the ASL Study Ref. MNRD2 Maghull-Aintree Settlement Plan: Description & Location Key Elements of Character Industrial estate with some • Assortment of single Lydiate. ‘trade’ retail uses. storey brick and prefabricated industrial Station Road. Access off Sefton Lane. units dating from Liverpool Road South. 1950’s to present. Adjacent to greenbelt and • Limited landscaping. Cheshire Lines path. • Functional layout & signage reduces Lydiate legibilityG of estate. ASL Study Ref. MALD1 General • Pre 19th Century settlement with character & clusters of development along formG historic route. • Retains village character with strong relationship with surrounding • Plot layout influenced by historic field landscape. boundaries and lanes. • Variations in built form reflect organic • Strong linear form that links into growth of settlement. historic route network. • Settlement bounded by Leeds- Architectural • Typical examples of 1930’s Liverpool to south & east. character suburban. Architectural • Variety of building styles from • Part brick, part rendered front character Victorian to present day whose elevations with Curved bay windows scaleG, form and detail are to ground and first floors. appropriate to a village setting. • Hipped tiled roofs. • Generally 2 storeys in height. • Front gardens enclosed by low brick • Use of red brick and render walls. Tree • Scattered clusters of mature trees Tree • Mature trees located in front and rear coverage within surrounding open farmland. coverage gardens. • Mature trees within front plots on Threats to • Loss of boundary walls to front of Southport Road. character properties. Threats to • Loss of boundary walls & poor quality • Loss of original detailing to character infill developmentG could undermine properties. sense and quality of enclosure & • Loss of mature trees through age or character of village. felling. • Loss of original detailing to properties. • Loss of mature trees through age or felling. 6. Design Guidance

Station Road ASL Study Ref. MALD2 a. We have developed the following General • Example of Victorian suburban guidance from an assessment of the character & development of villas & semi- strengths and weaknesses of the area form detached properties set in large as set out in the above tables. The grounds. • Railway provided focus for guidance gives more detailed advice development. to support the policies set out in the • Plots set out along historic route UDP and the Borough-wide guidance network with evidence of historic field boundaries influencing layout . in Part 1 of the Design SPG. • Retention of original features including windows, roofs & boundary b. The guidance is in two parts, firstly walls. • Distinct character of area creates there is district–wide advice relating to strong sense of entry/exit to it. the Broad Character Areas; secondly • Leeds – Liverpool canal forms strong there is more detailed guidance boundary to south of area. Architectural • Extensive use of red, smooth faced relating to the Areas of Local character brick with decorative brickwork Distinctiveness. Here a high standard detailing to upper floors/eaves & of design is required to preserve or slate roofs. • Painted stone detailing to main enhance their established character. elevations including window surrounds and string courses. • Retention of original features such as sash windows and boundary wall District-wide Guidance treatments. Tree • Dense clusters of mature trees within c. Within the Maghull – Aintree Plan coverage front & rear gardens. Threats to • Loss of original detailing to properties Area development proposals will need character including boundary walls & to: gateposts. • Loss of mature trees through felling or age. Enhance and strengthen pedestrian linkages between the individual elements of Maghull District Centre. Liverpool Road South ASL Study Ref. MALD1 Create appropriate landmark or General • Fine example of 1930’s suburban gateway features to reinforce the character & development that characterises sense of entry into Maghull District form initial period of major growth of Maghull. Centre from Liverpool Road North • Medium sized semi-detached houses and Northway and the Sefton Lane with large rear gardens. Industrial Estate from Sefton Lane.

Contribute to the creation of a Contribute to the creation of a coherent design theme, including coherent design theme, including hard and soft landscaping, for hard and soft landscaping for the Maghull District and Old Roan Local Southport Road corridor. Centres.

Maintain, or reinstate where missing, Station Road: back of pavement activity along Liverpool Road. f. Development proposals, including conversions and changes of use, will Establish a positive relationship with need to: Ormskirk Road and Northway by improving the quality of enclosure, Reinforce the character of the area landscaping and the creation of a through the retention or strong public face to the highway. reinstatement of original detailing or materials to properties. Local Distinctiveness Guidance Protect and strengthen the urban d. In addition to the above guidance the green edge adjacent to the Leeds – following guidance is applicable to Liverpool Canal. proposals within the following Areas of Local Distinctiveness. Maintain the level of tree coverage within area. Lydiate: Improve screening of suburban e. Development proposals, including housing area to the north of Brook conversions and changes of use, will Road. need to: Housing to west of Liverpool Road Retain sense of enclosure to South: Southport Road through the retention or reinstatement of g. Development proposals, including boundary treatments and avoiding conversions and changes of use, will the introduction of forecourt uses. need to:

Ensure new development retains its Reinforce the character of the area relationship with the village setting through the retention or by reinforcing its existing form and reinstatement of period retaining its visual and physical detailing/features or original relationship with the surrounding materials including the retention of countryside. boundary walls, gateposts or other external features. Retain or reinstate period detailing/ features or original materials Ensure that car parking is designed including the retention of boundary to have a minimal visual impact on walls, gateposts or other external the street frontage. features. Maintain permeabilityG and legibilityG Maintain level of tree coverage within of existing layout. settlement. Maintain the level of tree coverage Reinforce and protect the setting of within area. the Leeds- Liverpool canal. Glossary are within a site, for example.

Character: See Local Character. Legibility: The extent to which people

know what a place or area is for, what it Context: The wider setting of a site or does, and where they can and cannot (or area, including factors such as traffic, should not) go – through clues from the activities and land uses as well as way it has been designed. Development landscape and built form. that is legible i.e. easily understood, is to be

encouraged. Curvilinear development: Development

along, curved roads or boundaries. This is Linear development: See Ribbon often typical of more modern housing development and Rectilinear development estates, built since the end of World War II. below.

Form: The layout (urban grain), scale Local Character: The overall atmosphere (height and massing), appearance and ‘feel’ of a place or area, the things (materials and detail) and landscape of the which give it an identity, make it different development, its individual parts and their from (or similar to) anywhere else and make relationship with neighbouring buildings, it what it is. adjacent open areas and the local context.

Grid-iron development: (see Layout Permeability: The degree to which an below) Development where the road and areas has a variety of pleasant, convenient housing layout looks like a grid, (or and safe routes through it. squared paper like school maths books!) with has regular proportions and spaces. Rectilinear development: Development This is the commonest and the most that consists of, or is contained by, straight traditional pattern for terraced houses built roads or boundaries. This is often typical of before 1919. traditional terraced housing, built before 1919. Hard and soft materials: This includes both ‘hard’ building materials such as Ribbon development: Development bricks, tiles, slates and fencing and ‘soft’ concentrated in a long, narrow strip along a landscaping such as trees, shrubs and road, railway line or even a river or canal. grass. Scale: The impression of a building when Infill development: Development that seen in relation to its surroundings, uses up smaller vacant sites or spaces including its height and massing, or the size within the original settlement, that is, it fills of parts of a building or its details. in the gaps between existing buildings. Sometimes it is the total dimensions of a building which give it its sense of scale: at Irregular Grid Layout: (See Layout below other times it is the size of the elements and and Grid-iron development above) A grid- the way they are combined. The concept is iron layout where the spaces or blocks in a difficult and ambiguous one: often the the grid are different sizes and shapes, and word is simply used instead of size. roads are different not regular lengths. Speculative development: Development Layout: How a development or area is set which is built before the builder or out, as seen from above. There are many developer knows who will use it different ways development can be laid out (just as there are many ways of laying a Urban grain: The pattern of the table!). So ‘road layout’ is the way roads arrangement and size of buildings and their look, as seen from above, ‘building layout’ plots in a settlement; and the degree to is the way buildings are set out within a site which an area’s pattern of street-blocks and or along roads, and ‘site layout’ is where street junctions is respectively small and things like buildings, parking area and paths frequent, or large and infrequent. Further Advice and Guidance Other relevant supplementary National design guidance: planning guidance we have produced: • ‘Better Places to Live - A Companion Guide to PPG3’, available from the • Archaeology Commission of Architecture and the • Providing a choice of travel Built Environment. • House extensions • Landscape character • ‘Building In Context’ , available from • Landscape design guidance sheets English Heritage and the Commission of • New housing residential development Architecture and the Built Environment. • Sustainable drainage systems • Trees and development • ‘By Design: Urban Design in the Planning System – Towards Better Sefton MBC information notes: Practice’, available from the Commission of Architecture and the • Renewable energy information note Built Environment. • Landscape design guidance sheets

• ‘Design Review’, available from the Commission of Architecture and the Built Environment.

• ‘PPG1: General Policy and Principles’, available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

• ‘The Urban Design Compendium’, available from English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation.

• ‘The Value of Urban Design’, available from the Commission of Architecture and the Built Environment.

• ‘Safer Places: The Planning System and Crime Prevention’, available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister or the Home Office.

Useful contacts ACPO Crime Prevention Initiatives Ltd Planning & Economic Regeneration 7th Floor Department 25 Street (For Bootle, Waterloo, Crosby, SW1H 0EX Hightown, Maghull and Melling) Phone: 0207 227 3423 Fax: 0207 227 3400/01 Planning Department, E-mail: [email protected] Development Control South, Website: www.securedbydesign.com Balliol House, Balliol Rd, Building Research Establishment Bootle, Garston L20 3RY Watford Tel: (0151) 934 3572 WD25 9XX Fax: (0151) 934 3587 Phone: 01923 664462 E-mail: Fax: 01923 664103 [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bre.co.uk

(For Southport, Formby, and Ince Commission for Architecture and The Blundell) Built Environment (CABE) Tower Building Planning Department, 11 York Road Development Control North, London 9/11 Eastbank Street, SE1 7NX Southport, Phone: 020 7960 2400 PR8 1DL Website: www.cabe.org.uk Tel: (0151) 934 2206 Fax: (0151) 934 2212 English Heritage (North West) E-mail: Suites 3.3 and 3.4 [email protected] Canada House 3 Chepstow Street Manchester Community Safety Section M1 5FW Chief Executives Department, Phone: 0161 242 1400 Connolly House Fax: 0161 242 1401 47, Balliol Road, Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk Bootle L20 3AA English Partnerships Tel: (0151) 934 4466 (North West) Email: David.Fenney@chief- Arpley House executives.sefton.gov.uk 110 Birchwood Boulevard Birchwood Warrington Environmental Advisory Service WA3 7QH Bryant House, Phone: 01925 651144 Liverpool Rd North, Fax: 01925 411493 Maghull, Website: www.englishpartnerships.co.uk , L31 2PA Tel: (0151) 934 4950 Fax: (0151) 934 4955 E-mail: [email protected] Housing Corporation Maple House Office of the Deputy Prime Minister 149 Tottenham Court Road Eland House London Bressenden Place W1T 7BN London Phone: 020 7393 2000 SW1E 5DU Fax: 020 7393 2111 Phone: 020 7944 3000 Email: [email protected] Website: www.odpm.gov.uk Website: www.housingcorp.gov.uk

APPENDIX 1

Statement of public consultation about planning applications. a The Planning Committee approved a e We received a number of comments draft ‘Design’ planning guidance note for about the guidance from Formby Civic feedback and to help it make decisions Society, Merseyside Civic Society, about planning applications on 5 June Government Office North West, 2002. It was placed on our website later Hitchcock and Wright and United that year. Utilities. The table over the page summarises the comments we received, b The guidance was discussed at the and our responses. meeting of the Sefton Agents’ Forum which was held in April 2003. Few f We consulted Plain English Campaign on comments or questions were raised the guidance to help make its wording during the meeting. clearer. c We consulted interested organisations g We revised the guidance to take account in July 2003. In total, we sent over 600 of the comments received during the letters to local agents, developers, consultation process, changes proposed housebuilders and other interested to the draft plan, to correct mistakes in groups (such as parish councils). We the guidance and to make the wording then consulted with the general public in clearer in line with Plain English September and October 2003. We Campaign’s suggestions. placed adverts in the local press and the guidance was available in the two h We reported the results of the planning offices and at four main public consultation process to the Planning libraries (the main library at Bootle was Committee on 17 December 2003. The closed for repair in 2003). ‘Design’ guidance note, including a new Sustainability checklist in Part 4, was d Our consultation procedure is in line with adopted on 17 December 2003. Planning Policy Guidance Note 12 ‘Development Plans’ (PPG12) which

stresses the importance of consulting

widely if we and the Secretary of State

are to rely on Supplementary planning

guidance notes to help make decisions

Table – summarising comments received about the Design Supplementary planning guidance note and our responses

Person or Organisation Summary of comment Summary of our response commenting General comments about all Supplementary planning guidance notes Garden History No comments Response is noted. Society Formby Civic Write to support all of the SPGs. Support is noted. Society Design Supplementary planning guidance note Merseyside Supportive of comprehensive Support is noted Civic Society assessment of character

Formby Civic The section that identified Support is noted Society Road and Ryeground Lane as characteristic areas is excellent. Government Expand introduction to document to Wording will be added to do this. Office North include overall vision for Sefton’s West urban environment. Government Document could make useful links It is more appropriate for these Office North to Community Strategy and the documents to refer to other West major plans for neighbourhood Supplementary planning guidance renewal in the Borough notes. Government Suggest highlighting design relating Southport Seafront Supplementary Office North to public realm and inclusion of planning guidance note includes West public art/ street furniture as appropriate references. The Borough has some good examples Design Supplementary planning to promote as good practice e.g. guidance note is aimed at improvements at Southport developers and we considered that it is not the appropriate place to refer to street furniture. There is no policy in the draft Plan on public art and so it would not be appropriate to make reference to this in guidance note. Government Specific points: Office North - useful to mention need for - This first point will be included. West buildings to face streets, squares or parks and avoid inward-facing development - welcome emphasis placed on - The second point is noted. sustainable drainage systems - section on access could be - Access issues are dealt with in expanded to take into account the ‘Providing a Choice of Travel’ public transport considerations guidance note but cross reference - Settlement Character Plans – will be added. useful to have the conservation - Conservation areas will be areas marked on the plans as added. well. Hitchcock and Revision of urban edge to include This is premature until, firstly, the

52 Person or Organisation Summary of comment Summary of our response commenting Wright proposed / Thornton road scheme is approved and, Bypass secondly, any consequent change to the Green Belt boundary is made. United Utilities Deep rooted shrubs and trees Amendment to be made to say that should not be planted in the vicinity utilities need to be consulted of underground /overhead before planting in the vicinity of electricity cables, water mains, their apparatus. public sewers and overflow systems.

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