PARTONE North York Moors National Park Authority Local Development Framework Design Guide Part 1: General Principles Supplementary Planning Document North York Moors National Park Authority Design Guide Part 1: General Principles Supplementary Planning Document Adopted June 2008 CONTENTS Contents Page Foreword 3 Section 1: Introducing Design 1.1 Background 4 1.2 Policy Context 4 1.3 Design Guide Supplementary Planning Documents 7 1.4 Aims and Objectives 8 1.5 Why do we need a Design Guide? 9 Section 2: Design in Context 2.1 Background 10 2.2 Landscape Character 11 2.3 Settlement Pattern 19 2.4 Building Characteristics 22 Section 3: General Design Principles 3.1 Approaching Design 25 3.2 Landscape Setting 26 3.3 Settlement Form 27 3.4 Built Form 28 3.5 Sustainable Design 33 Section 4: Other Statutory Considerations 4.1 Conservation Areas 37 4.2 Listed Buildings 37 4.3 Public Rights of Way 38 4.4 Trees and Landscape 38 4.5 Wildlife Conservation 39 4.6 Archaeology 39 4.7 Building Regulations 40 Section 5: Application Submission Requirements 5.1 Design and Access Statements 42 5.2 Design Negotiations 45 5.3 Submission Documents 45 Appendix A: Key Core Strategy and Development Policies 47 Appendix B: Further Advice and Information 49 Appendix C: Glossary 55 Map 1: Landscape Character Types and Areas 13 Table 1: Landscape Character Type Descriptors 14 • This document can be made available in Braille, large print, audio and can be translated. Please contact the Planning Policy team on 01439 770657, email [email protected] or call in at The Old Vicarage, Bondgate, Helmsley YO62 5BP if you require copies in another format. FOREWORD Foreword The North York Moors is famed for its stunning landscape and scenic beauty, an integral part of which are the many picturesque villages and attractive buildings that they contain. Together, these qualities create a character that is unique to the National Park and one that we, as an Authority, have been charged with protecting for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike, both now and into the future. It is therefore with great pleasure that I am able to introduce the North York Moors National Park Authority’s Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) that will help to shape future development within the National Park. The purpose of this Design Guide is to help protect the intrinsic qualities of the Park but not to the extent that it unreasonably restricts the development process that is vital to the future viability and prosperity of our communities. However, we do wish to ensure that new development sits comfortably and adds to the quality of the existing built and natural environment and does not erode the very qualities that make it such a special place to begin with. Building on the key principles of the National Park Management Plan, this guide sets out general information and practical advice to help inform and promote creative, high quality, contemporary design whilst being sensitive to the historic built environment. The Design Guide has been produced to provide information and advice to owners, developers, professional agents and builders on the design standards appropriate to the special character of the National Park. It will also be used by Authority Members and planning officers in deciding planning applications and giving advice on the design of new development. In the fullness of time, the document will be supplemented by additional topic- specific components to produce a full range of design information for the most common types of development found within the National Park. In the meantime, we trust that you find the information and advice contained in the Design Guide useful in providing a basis to ensure that any development that you are involved in inspires excellence in design that contributes to the special qualities of the National Park. Finally, I would urge all those involved in the design process, whether their proposals require the Authority’s approval or not, to use the Guide. Cllr John Fletcher Chairman, National Park Authority 3 SECTION 1 INTRODUCING DESIGN 1 Introducing Design 1.1 Background ‘General Principles’ is the first of a series of Supplementary Planning Documents that collectively, form the North York Moors National Park Authority’s Design Guide. Part 1 provides a historical context to design and describes the fundamental design principles that should be considered in the development of a successful proposal. Part 1 also offers guidance on the components of design that need to be considered to inform any proposal, from a house extension to a small 'infill' scheme. As the Design Guide expands, it will cover the most common types of new development occurring in the National Park and include more detailed advice on the following topics: Part 2: Extensions and Alterations to Dwellings Part 3: Trees and Landscape Part 4: The Re-use of Existing Agricultural Buildings Part 5: New Agricultural Buildings Part 1 – ‘General Principles’ should be read in conjunction with other relevant parts of the Design Guide. The advice contained in the Design Guide is not intended to be exhaustive nor prescriptive. Similarly, it is not intended to stifle innovative design that is both sympathetic and sensitive to its surroundings. Design in the built environment is an evolving process. Good design can help bridge the gap between the traditional and contemporary in a way which respects and interprets the historical character in a different way. Each planning application submitted to the Authority will be judged on its own particular merits and against the policies of the North York Moors Core Strategy and Development Policies (2008) document and having regard to the design advice contained in Parts 2 and 3 of the Design Guide. 1.2 Policy Context The role of good design is advocated in a number of national, regional and local planning documents, together with the North York Moors National Park Management Plan (1998). National Policy Government policy for design in the planning system is contained in Planning Policy Statement 1, ‘Delivering Sustainable Development’ and expanded in other Planning Policy Guidance/Statements. The challenge in PPS1 is clear: ‘High quality and inclusive design should be the aim of all those involved in the development process’. 4 SECTION 1 INTRODUCING DESIGN Further design advice is also contained in Planning Policy Statement 7, ‘Sustainable Development in Rural Areas’, which states that: ‘… planning authorities should ensure that development… contributes to a sense of local identity and regional diversity and be of an appropriate design and scale for its location having regard to the policies on design contained in PPS1… ’. National planning policy also strongly encourages design which reduces the need for energy and incorporates low carbon energy generating technologies, minimises waste and reduces the risk of flooding. Regional Spatial Strategy Regional planning guidance is set out in the ‘Yorkshire and Humber Plan’, which is the Regional Spatial Strategy for Yorkshire and the Humber (RSS). The draft Regional Spatial Strategy was issued in December 2004 and is based on a selective review of Regional Planning Guidance 12, which itself was issued in 2001. The Strategy seeks to promote well designed and attractive places which respect their character and landscape setting. It also recognises the importance of maintaining local distinctiveness and promoting local styles and features whilst encouraging innovative new design. It particularly encourages sustainable design including better energy and water efficient buildings. The draft Yorkshire and Humber Plan was submitted to Government in December 2005. Public consultation took place on the draft Plan between January and April 2006 and an Examination In Public was held to test the Plan between September and October 2006. The main findings and recommendations from the Examination were used by the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humber to inform the preparation of proposed changes to the Draft Plan. The approved Yorkshire and Humber Plan was formerly published in May 2008. North York Moors National Park Management Plan The North York Moors was designated as a National Park in 1952. The 1995 Environment Act sets out two purposes for National Park Authorities: • To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks; and • To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Parks by the public. The Act goes on to place a duty on National Park Authorities in pursuing the two purposes, ‘to seek to foster the economic and social well being of local communities’. Section 62 of the 1995 Act also requires all relevant authorities to ‘have regard to the statutory purposes in exercising or performing any functions in the National Park and; if it appears that there is a conflict between those purposes, to attach greater weight to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.’ 5 SECTION 1 INTRODUCING DESIGN The North York Moors National Park Management Plan recognises that the built environment is a significant part of the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the National Park and that design has an important role to play in ensuring that new development does not jeopardise the integrity of its landscape. To this extent, all proposals must be consistent with and help to achieve the following design related objectives of the Management Plan: • To ensure that new building and development compliments the local character, buildings and sense of place1. • To ensure that new development is of a high quality which enhances the character and special qualities of the national park and respects local distinctiveness2. North York Moors Local Development Framework Core Strategy and Development Policies Development Plan Document (2008) The Core Strategy and Development Policies document sets out the planning policies against which proposals for new development within the National Park are assessed.