Colmworth Neighbourhood Plan Colmworth Character Assessment 2016 Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 2 2. Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 3 3. Overview of the neighbourhood area ............................................................................................ 6 4. Historic development of Colmworth .............................................................................................. 8 5. Character areas overview ............................................................................................................. 10 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 10 I. Channel’s End ............................................................................................................................ 10 II. Wilden Road (Rootham’s Green) .............................................................................................. 12 III. Chapel End ................................................................................................................................ 14 IV. Queen’s Road ............................................................................................................................ 16 V. Little Staughton Road ................................................................................................................ 18 VI. City Lane .................................................................................................................................... 20 VII. Honeydon Rd ............................................................................................................................. 21 VIII. Church End ................................................................................................................................ 22 Appendix 1 - References ................................................................................................................... 25 Appendix 2 – Maps. These are contained in a separate booklet. 1 1. Introduction 1.1 Poor design often stems from a lack of understanding or disregard for those key features and characteristics which create the local distinctiveness and unique identity of an area. Conversely, good design that is visually attractive and makes a positive contribution to its surroundings stems from having an understanding of a development’s setting and the character of the local area. This understanding can help to ensure that proposals are of an appropriate design which respects and compliments the existing local character and avoid development that could be found anywhere. 1.2 Government planning policy set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) attaches great importance to the design of the built environment and to the achievement of high quality and inclusive design. It indicates that local and neighbourhood plans should develop robust and comprehensive policies that set out the quality of development sought in the area and are based on stated objectives for the future of the area and an understanding and evaluation of its defining characteristics. 1.3 The NPPF further indicates that planning policies and decisions should aim to ensure that developments: add to the overall quality of the area; establish a strong sense of place, using streetscapes and buildings to create attractive and comfortable places; optimise the potential of the site to accommodate development, create and sustain an appropriate mix of uses (including incorporation of green and other public space as part of developments); respond to local character and history, and reflect the identity of local surroundings and materials, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation; create safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion; and are visually attractive as a result of good architecture and appropriate landscaping. 1.4 However, whilst policies should promote or reinforce local distinctiveness, the NPPF indicates that they must: avoid unnecessary prescription or detail and should concentrate on guiding the overall scale, density, massing, height, landscape, layout, materials and access of new development in relation to neighbouring buildings and the local area more generally; and not attempt to impose architectural styles or particular tastes and they should not stifle innovation, originality or initiative through unsubstantiated requirements to conform to certain development forms or styles. Furthermore, although visual appearance and the architecture of individual buildings are very important factors, securing high quality and inclusive design goes beyond aesthetic considerations. Therefore, planning policies and decisions should address the connections between people and places and the integration of new development into the natural, built and historic environment. 2 1.5 The purpose of this character assessment is to describe the key features and characteristics that combine to give Colmworth its local distinctiveness and unique identity. It can be used as a basis from which to produce Neighbourhood Plan policies and can be used by developers and their architects wishing to understand the local character of Colmworth and progress sensitively designed proposals which add to the overall quality of the settlement. 2. Methodology 2.1 The assessment is based on guidance produced by Planning Aid1 (part of the Royal Town Planning Institute) specifically to assist communities wishing to undertake a character assessment of their local area to help develop policies on design for inclusion in a neighbourhood plan. Following circulation of the Planning Aid documents, several members of the Colmworth Neighbourhood Planning Committee met with a planning consultant to discuss the criteria to be used in the assessment (see below) and to determine the areas to be assessed. Subsequently, the group visited each area to record its distinct SURVEYING THE AREA character through the use of photographs and written notes using the following headings: 1. Topography: This relates to the slope and the landscape setting of an area. An elevated location, for example, may provide key views of the surrounding countryside that contribute to the area’s character. 2. Land use: This can directly influence the types of buildings that occupy the area and how they are used. For example, areas which are predominantly residential in nature are very different in character from areas dominated by employment uses. 3. The layout of an area: This plays a critical part in shaping character. An area of terraced housing with front doors that open directly onto the street, for example, will appear and feel very different from an area where the houses are detached and set in spacious gardens. 4. Roads, streets and routes. These influence the manner in which people move within a settlement, and their layout, scale and appearance can heavily influence the character of 1 How to prepare a character assessment to support design policy within a neighbourhood plan - www.ourneighbourhoodplanning.org.uk/storage/resources/documents/How_to_prepare_a_character_assessment.pdf 3 an area. For example, there is an obvious difference between the character of a winding, country lane and a dual carriageway. 5. Spaces. This includes areas of openness, which are largely clear of buildings, trees and other structures. Examples include playing fields, children’s play grounds, public parks and gaps between buildings, which allow for glimpses through to other areas within the settlement. 6. Buildings: These are a key component of any settlement’s character. When documenting the appearance of local buildings and their influence on local character, it is important to pay attention to factors including building form, and scale; the relationship to neighbouring buildings (terraced, detached, semi-detached); predominant materials, roof type, distinct features and details; and architectural style. 7. Landmarks. These can be defined as iconic and distinctive features within a settlement, which contribute significantly to an area’s unique character. They are often meeting places or points of reference within a settlement and have a distinct appearance making them instantly recognisable to all. Examples might include distinct or prominent buildings, structures (such as a bridge), monuments (such as a war memorial) or natural features (such as a pond or ancient tree). 8. Green and natural features. These often help to soften the impact of development, providing a welcome contrast to areas of hard landscaping, buildings and other structures. Examples include trees and woodland, hedgerows and water features. 9. Streetscape. This refers to those smaller scale features found within settlements which, by way of their distinct appearance, add to the character of an area’s streets and public spaces. Examples include lamp posts, boundary treatments (walls, railings, fencing, etc), street surfacing materials (cobbles, granite, etc), public planting and street signage. 10. Views. This relates to key views either within a settlement, out of a settlement towards the surrounding landscape, or into a settlement from the surrounding area. Key views are those