introduction • purpose and scope of the guide 1 • aonb designation and the importance of 2 good design • status of the guide 5 • how to use this guide 7 gower aonb design guide section 1 introduction 1 purpose and scope of the guide 1.1 The intention of the Gower AONB Design Guide (‘the Guide’) is to provide “Good places are more than collections of architecture; they are memorable and Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) distinctive, well used and cherished by the people who live in them, work in them and in support of the Council’s planning policies visit them” and placemaking aspirations, and to raise “No Place Like Home”, Design Commission for Wales, June 2010 the standard of design across the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Guide aims to assist the key objective of maintaining and enhancing one of the most naturally beautiful landscapes in the UK, and ensure that new development successfully integrates into the sensitive landscape within which it sits. 1.2 The Guide provides a practical design tool to be used by all involved in the design and development process, whether planning permission is required or not. It sets out the placemaking objectives and design principles that should be followed to ensure that development respects the distinctive character of both the natural and built environment of Gower. Above: Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Boundary [source: City and County of Swansea] Opposite page: Three Cliffs Bay gower aonb design guide section 1 introduction 2 aonb designation and the importance of good design 1.3 The Guide includes specific design development process. It is a starting modules covering the more common point for all types of development types of development seen on Gower, in Gower, ranging from general namely: maintenance and refurbishment • residential; of existing buildings to new build • agricultural; development. • commercial and tourism; • conversions; and 1.6 The Guide encourages those involved • chalets in the design process to take a It also provides guidance on matters holistic approach through considering relating to landscape design; repair local context, site opportunities and and maintenance; and lighting. constraints and key design objectives from the outset of the project. 1.4 The Guide applies to all parts of the AONB, which encompasses a variety of character areas from some of the most open, undeveloped landscapes within the County to locations that have been substantively ‘suburbanised’ through built development. The Guide may also be applied to certain locations outside the AONB boundary, within the adjoining rural ‘Gower fringe’ areas, where such locations have similar characteristics and/or where development is considered to have a bearing on the setting of he AONB. 1.5 The Guide is intended for all Above: View across Great Pill from Landimore those involved in the design and gower aonb design guide section 1 introduction 3 aonb designation and the importance of good design 1.7 Gower AONB was the firstAONB to be designated in the UK in 1956, and its beauty lies in the variety of outstanding landscape and coastline captured in one relatively small area. The Gower AONB Management Plan (2017) usefully describes the nature of Gower’s varied landscape: “It ranges from the south coast’s superb carboniferous limestone scenery - be- tween Worm’s Head and Oxwich Bay - to the salt marshes and the dune systems in the north. Inland, the most prominent features are the large areas of common, dominated by sandstone heath ridges including the soaring sweep of Cefn Bryn. Secluded valleys have rich deciduous woodland and the traditional agricultural landscape is a patchwork of fields charac- terised by walls, stone faced banks, and hedgerows”. Gower AONB Management Plan 2017 Above: View across Oxwich Bay gower aonb design guide section 1 introduction 4 aonb designation and the importance of good design 1.8 The primary purpose of the AONB 1.9 The management of change is key to designation is to “conserve and enhance” the ensure that the distinctive character of natural beauty of the designated area. Poor Gower’s natural and cultural landscape is design of new buildings, conversions and not only retained through the conservation, extensions can be detrimental to landscape refurbishment and maintenance of existing character, whereas good design can enhance buildings, but also enhanced through its quality. Planning Policy Wales (PPW) good design in new developments. New emphasises the importance of good design development should aim to improve upon an for successful placemaking: existing building, and create a high quality development that integrates into the existing landscape. “Good design is fundamental to creating 1.10 The Guide sets out guidance to help sustainable places where people want conserve, enhance and inspire both the to live, work and socialise. Design is not natural and built environment. The Guide just about the architecture of a building but the relationship between all elements will play a critical role in achieving the of the natural and built environment and conservation and enhancement of this unique between people and places. area. ...Meeting the objectives of good design should be the aim of all those involved in the development process and applied to all development proposals… “ Planning Policy Wales, Edition 10, paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 Top right: Lone house above Middleton Bottom right: Rhossili village with Worms Head in the background gower aonb design guide section 1 introduction 5 status of the guide 1.11 The Guide is a material consideration in • ER2: Strategic Green Infrastructure Network the determination of planning applications • ER 4: Gower Area of Outstanding Natural for development in, and in some instances Beauty (AONB) adjoining, the Gower AONB. It provides • ER6: Designated Sites of Geological Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) Importance to the Council’s adopted Swansea Local • ER 7: Undeveloped Coast Development Plan (LDP). • ER 8: Habitats and Species • ER9: Ecological Networks & Features of 1.12 The first Gower Design Guide was adopted Importance for Biodiversity as SPG to the now superseded City and • ER 11: Trees, Hedgerows and Development County of Swansea Unitary Development • CV 1: Key Villages Plan (UDP) (2008). This new version of the • CV 2: Development in the Countryside Guide will formally replace the first Gower • CV 3: Replacement Dwellings in the Design Guide once adopted. Countryside • CV 4: Conversion of Rural Buildings 1.13 The Guide provides SPG to augment a • CV 5: Farm Diversification number of policies in the Swansea LDP, • TR 1: Tourism, Recreation and Leisure which include: Development • PS 1: Sustainable Places • TR 2: Developed Coast and Waterfront • PS 2: Placemaking and Place • TR 3: Sustainable Tourism and Recreation Management Development in the Countryside • H 5: Local Needs Housing Exception • TR 5: Holiday Accommodation Sites • TR 13: Residential Use of Holiday • H 6: 100% Affordable Housing Exception Accommodation Sites • RP 3: Air and Light Pollution • H 8: Ancillary Residential Accommodation • RP 4: Water Pollution & the Protection of Water • HC 1: Historic & Cultural Environment Resources • HC 2: Preservation or Enhancement of • T5: Design Principles for Transport Measures Buildings and Features and Infrastructure • T6: Parking Above: Restoration works in progress, Middleton gower aonb design guide section 1 introduction 6 aonb designation and the importance of good design 1.14 The Guide takes account of the most up to date legislative and strategic planning context that have arisen at both national and local level. This includes the latest Gower Management Plan (2017) and the amended version of Planning Policy Wales (PPW) and supporting Technical Advice Notes (TANs) produced by the Welsh Government. 1.15 Key placemaking and design related national planning policy and relevant LDP policies are provided in Appendix 1. Matters relating to placemaking and design are clearly not the only considerations in the determination of planning applications. Applicants will need to demonstrate compliance with other policies in the LDP, and with national guidance and other material considerations, when applying for planning permission. 1.16 This draft version of the Guide will be subject to full public and stakeholder consultation. All representations made during this process will be considered in the formation of the final version adopted by the Council. 1.17 The Council monitors the effectiveness of the Guide through LDP monitoring and planning application feedback questionnaires. Above: View across Cheriton towards Llanmadoc gower aonb design guide section 1 introduction 7 how to use this guide 1.18 The five remaining Sections of the Guide AONB Character - this section sets out the landscape, settlement and built cover the following key elements: environment character of the AONB. It also contains signposts to more detailed • overview of the character of the Gower landscape character and settlement statements contained in Appendices 5 & 6. AONB Section 2 is important to consult as part of the site and context appraisal stage of • development management process 2 the design process. • placemaking objectives for all development to consider Development Management Process - This section should be consulted prior • individual guidance modules on to any development. This explains the steps to be taken in the design of all common types of development within types and scales of development, including engaging relevant professionals, the AONB, and on issues of sustainability, 3 undertaking site appraisal, consultation, producing a vision and refining landscape and lighting, and development proposals. • a set of appendices. Placemaking Objectives - This section sets out the principles which need to be considered at the outset of a project to guide the development. This section 1.19 At the front of each section or module there should be consulted when developing a vision and design objectives for any new is a numbered contents page to guide the development. user. Further information on how to use the 4 individual guidance modules is included within the introduction to Section 5.