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PURPOSE OF DESIGN GUIDANCE
The Design SPG serves the following functions:
- In conjunction with the Adopted Local Development Plan, it sets the agenda for securing high quality design throughout the District.
- It translates and expands upon the Adopted District Local Plan policy to provide more detailed and practical design advice to developers and their designers, in respect of key design issues.
- It establishes the ground rules for the design of new development whilst also providing the basis for innovation, creativity and originality.
- It promotes an approach to designing in context which will ensure new development is of a high quality and locally relevant.
- It provides an effective and transparent mechanism for reviewing design quality as part of the planning process, which is available to all and ensures developers understand the design criteria their schemes will be judged against.
- It provides the basis for a more efficient planning process, where requirements and expectations of both the applicant and planning authority are clearly defined.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD DESIGN
The government is committed to achieving higher quality design in new development. The District Council’s policy objective to improve the quality of design in new development is based upon this national planning agenda. The District Council will use its planning powers to secure high quality design in all new development.
Developers should be in no doubt that design quality will be a material consideration when determining planning applications. This document will form the cornerstone of design review processes within the District Council’s planning team and development which responds effectively to the straightforward advice within this document, is encouraged.
'Good Design should be the aim of all those involved in the development process...'
(National Government PPG1)
'The key aim is to promote high quality design in all developments...'
(Wyre Forest District Council – Local Development Plan para. 5.1)
'Urban Design is the art of making places for people...' (Commission for Architecture and Built Environment CABE/ Office of the Deputy Prime Minister ODPM)
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LAYERS OF DESIGN GUIDANCE
Different layers and types of planning and design guidance exist which should influence new development within Wyre Forest District. These can all be used to assist in achieving better urban design.
These layers reflect different scales and themes of design. The layers of guidance form a hierarchy from the national and regional perspectives to district wide and site specific issues.
This SPG (yellow on the diagram opposite) provides a valuable design tool within the District, complementing and adding more detailed practical advice to the Adopted District Local Plan. The chapters of this document are identifiable:
- Chapter 1 – Design Themes
- Chapter 2 – Planning & Design Process
- Chapter 3 – Residential Design Guide
- Chapter 4 – Design Guides for Town Centres
- Chapter 5 – Design in the Parishes and Villages
Further site specific planning and design guidance is available from the District Council for particularly sensitive sites, such as conservation areas and for larger regeneration sites. A number of additional good practice leaflets are also available.
This framework of design guidance is designed to make the planning system more efficient and transparent.
The Design Quality SPG supports the Wyre Forest Community Strategy and will assist in delivering its objectives.
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