Agenda item

Mid Sussex Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document - Consultation Draft.

Minutes:

Sally Blomfield, Divisional Leader for Planning and Economy introduced the report which asked the Committee to consider the draft Mid Sussex Design Guide Supplementary Document (SPD).  The officer noted that Mid Sussex District Council was passionate to ensure good quality design, and creating high quality buildings and spaces is fundamental to ensuring good place making.  She reminded the Committee of District Plan Policy 26: Character and Design, which sets out the principles for design and explained that the Design Guide will supplement this Policy by providing much more detailed guidance.  Once approved the Design Guide will become a Supplementary Planning Document and be a material planning consideration.  The Design Guide will be used by the Council to advise developers of the Council’s aspirations for design and will inform the planning committees what the Council wants to deliver.

 

The topic of the consultation process and use of the guide was discussed.  It was noted that the consultation is anticipated to start in September and would last for six weeks.  The Divisional Leader confirmed that key stakeholders, town and parish councils and residents would be invited to make representations. The officers will note and consider all representations received and come to a balanced view. The revised annotated Design Guide would then be re-considered by this Scrutiny Committee. 

 

In response to a Member question the Assistant Chief Executive confirmed that the draft Design Guide would have limited weight in decision making until it has been adopted by the Council.  However, planning officers could suggest that developers refer to the draft Guide.

 

The topics of sustainability design and site layout were discussed.  The Divisional Leader confirmed that the Mid Sussex Design Guide promoted the use of photovoltaic panels.  The Planning Officer highlighted that the issue of sustainability was woven throughout the Design Guide to optimise the potential for key sites.  The Divisional Leader confirmed that section three covered sustainable transport and section four covered site layout which includes the street scene with spaces for cyclists.

 

In response to questions on awards for design Will Dorman noted that the design awards were held bi-annually and anyone could put a scheme forward for consideration.  The design awards have their own web page and are also advertised through press releases.

 

The Chairman invited the Cabinet Members present to comment.

 

Andrew MacNaughton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning noted that the development at Rocky Lane, Haywards Heath was a good example of sustainable housing design.  The Council encourages the use of renewable energy and this development has solar tiles incorporated in the roofs. He also noted the energy provided by the Rampion Wind Farm is transferred to the substation at Twineham and can supply power for many homes. 

 

Several Members congratulated the officers on the comprehensive document and asked whether the Design Guide would be an informative for planning applications or act as conditions for applications once adopted.  The Divisional Leader confirmed that it would be guidance to help inform negotiations to get better schemes brought forward and it would be a material consideration. Tom Clark, Solicitor to the Council noted that the Design Guide would assist the Council upholding their decision to reject a planning application on design grounds when developers appealed to the Secretary of State.

 

A Member commented on the illustrations on page 135 and Will Dorman, Urban Designer noted that these would be revised.

 

The Chairman took Members to the recommendations which were agreed unanimously.

 

RESOLVED

           

The Committee:

    (i)        Considered the Mid Sussex Design Guide SPD;

   (ii)        Delegated authority to Divisional Lead for Planning and Economy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, to make typographical, grammatical and photographical editorial changes before consultation; and

  (iii)        Recommended that the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning approves the document for public consultation.

 

Supporting documents: