Issue - meetings

** Please note that due to the size of the documents, the appendices to this report will be published as a supplement to the main agenda and hard copies circulated to Executive members only **

Report of Executive Director Place and Growth

Purpose of report

To seek approval of the Cherwell Residential Design Guide, Supplementary Planning Document, Masterplanning and architectural guidance for residential development so that it can be presented to the Council for adoption.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the responses to consultation summarised in the consultation statement presented in Appendix 2.

1.2         To approve the final draft of the Cherwell Residential Design Guide SPD (Design Guide), as presented at Appendix 1 and incorporating changes summarised at paragraph 3.8 – 3.9 of this report.

1.3         To recommend to Council that it adopts the final draft of the Cherwell Residential Design Guide SPD (Design Guide) as a statutory Supplementary Planning Document under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

1.4         To authorise the Executive Director Place and Growth to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the Design Guide before the meeting of the Council.

Resolved

(1)          That the responses to consultation summarised in the consultation statement be noted.

(2)          That the final draft of the Cherwell Residential Design Guide SPD (Design Guide) (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) and incorporating changes summarised in the annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(3)          That Council be recommended to adopt the final draft of the Cherwell Residential Design Guide SPD (Design Guide) as a statutory Supplementary Planning Document under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

(4)          That the Executive Director Place and Growth be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the Design Guide before the meeting of the Council.

The Executive Director Place and Growth submitted a report to seek approval of the Cherwell Residential Design Guide, Supplementary Planning Document, Masterplanning and architectural guidance for residential development so that it can be presented to the Council for adoption.

In considering the report, Members commended and thanked officers for their hard work in producing the SPD.   

Resolved

(1)           That the responses to consultation summarised in the consultation statement be noted.

(2)           That the final draft of the Cherwell Residential Design Guide SPD (Design Guide) (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) and incorporating changes summarised in the annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(3)           That Council be recommended to adopt the final draft of the Cherwell Residential Design Guide SPD (Design Guide) as a statutory Supplementary Planning Document under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

(4)           That the Executive Director Place and Growth be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the Design Guide before the meeting of the Council.

Reasons

The Design Guide is now complete and presented for approval before seeking adoption by Council. Once adopted the Design Guide will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications where there are related design issues. The Design Guide seeks to provide clear guidance on the design of the built environment to ensure that the detailed policies for high quality development set out in the Cherwell Local Plan are delivered.  The document is a comprehensive guide covering an extensive list of design issues that should be considered in residential design / development.

The document has been prepared with regard to national policy guidance and through engagement with key stakeholders and through a period of formal consultation. It is considered by Officers that the document presents guidance that supports both high quality development and continued growth across the district, which maintains high levels of housing delivery.

Upon approval by the Executive it is intended that the document be presented to Council for adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). As an SPD the document will have statutory status as planning guidance. It does not establish Development Plan policy which is the role of the Council’s Local Plans.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to approve the Cherwell Residential Design Guide SPD and seek changes.

Officers consider that the SPD has been prepared in accordance with the relevant legislation. The adopted Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 sets the planning framework up to 2031 with the SPD providing a further level of detail to guide development. Significant changes may require further consultation.

Option 2: Not to approve the Cherwell Residential Design Guide SPD and to rely on Policy ESD15 within the Cherwell Local Plan.

Note that the Council could rely on ESD15 but that the Design Guide would provide more detailed advice to aid decision making and provide further clarity on how to achieve high quality development.