Agenda item

Sally Blomfield, Divisional Leader for Planning and the Economy introduced the report.  She confirmed that the purpose of the report was to agree the revisions to the Design Guide SPD.  She highlighted that District Plan Policy DP26 sets out high level Design principles and the new National Design Guide encourages local authorities to approve local guides.  A summary of the representations was considered by this scrutiny committee on 22 January 2020 and agreed wide-ranging actions to address those representations.   She drew attention to the agenda update sheet which corrected typographical errors in Appendix 1.  She confirmed that once adopted the Design Guide will be a material consideration in the consideration and determination of planning applications.  Training will be provided for Members and officers for effective use of the Design Guide.

The Chairman noted that the Committee would review each chapter of the Design Guide:

Chapter 1 - Purpose of the Design Guide:

There were no questions or comments.

Chapter 2 - Understanding the Context: 

There were no questions and a Member supported the amendments on references to the redevelopment of Burgess Hill.

Chapter 3 - Establishing the Structure

A Member expressed concern over limited references to the threat to biodiversity, the Divisional Leader noted it was referenced at the start of Policy DG6.

Chapter 4 - Site layout, Streets and Spaces:

In response to a Member’s comment the Divisional Leader advised the images in the Design Guide will be updated before the document comes to the Council meeting.

Several Members expressed concern that the document may quickly become outdated due to recent changes in planning legislation and may need revising.  The Divisional Leader highlighted the changes to use class order and permitted development rights. The recent changes to permitted developments will have to be approved by a prior-approval process.  The Council will be enabled to consider certain aspects such as the external appearance of the building as part of the prior approval process and the Design Guide will assist with these decisions. The Committee were reminded that the Council is not allowed to duplicate regulations that already exist, i.e. building regulations. She made reference to the Future Homes Standard and advised that the Design Guide makes a cross reference to this government publication.  The Design Guide provides supplementary details to the District Plan and is unlikely to change as the overarching principles, which match the national design guide, will not change.

Members discussed parking arrangements in relation to Electric Charging Points (ECPs), references to soft landscaping and the types of tree suggested and the terminology used.  The Divisional Leader commented that the Design guidance on all parking allows the incorporation of ECP, there were no constraints through Design guidance in the policy.  The District Plan policy DP21 mentions ECPs but they are not mandatory should be incorporated where practicable and viable.  She confirmed that the list of trees in DG 28 had been approved by both the Council’s Tree Officer and West Sussex County Council Highway Tree Officer, and additional wording may be added to this chapter.

Chapter 5 – Site Optimisation and Mixed Use:

Members discussed car parking, green travel options, passive house designs and ducting for connectivity.  The Divisional Leader advised that well design and located higher density developments would lead to reduced car parking if green travel options are promoted. She highlighted DG 9 which will minimise reliance on private cars and promote sustainable modes of transport.  The Committee were reminded that at the meeting on 22^nd January they were advised that the Council cannot introduce additional requirements of passive house standards, but the Design Guide makes reference to the Future Homes Standard.  Will Dorman, Urban Designer noted that connectivity is referenced in the utility section of Chapter 5, DG 29.

Chapter 6 – High Quality Building Design:

Members asked whether DG 6 provided enough guidance on providing renewable energy and asked for calculations to show the benefit of the renewable energy design.  

The Divisional Leader stated that the Design Guide is supplementary to the principle polices of the plan and cannot require any additionality. The relevance of sustainability has been referenced throughout the guide and the Guide is not the appropriate place for performance indicators on house design for renewable energy sources.

Chapter 7 – Business Parks / Employment Areas:

In response to a Member’s concern on cycle parking at commercial premises, the Urban Designer noted that it was referenced under DG 24 but in a residential setting.  The guide could be updated to make an additional reference to cover cycle parking at employment sites.  

Chapter 8 – Residential Amenity:

The Urban Designer addressed concerns over noise, air and light pollution as this is covered under District Plan Policy DP 29 where it states that residential uses are not permitted close to development generating high levels of noise and DG 48 details designing to minimise the impact of noise, air and light pollution.  The Divisional Leader advised the Committee that there is no prescribed size standard for balconies or external spaces, a general overall assessment of the balcony is made in relation to the building design and other considerations.

Chapter 9 – Household Extensions:

A Member was concerned with the wording on negative impact to existing properties.  The Divisorial Leader advised this was addressed under DG 9 extensions.

Chapter 10 - Building Conversions:

There were no questions or comments.

A Member thanked the officers for the comprehensive document and asked for an amendment to the recommendations by adding a glossary to the Design Guide to assist the lay person with the language used when reading the Design Guide.   The Divisional Leader agreed that urban design terminology can be confusing, and that a glossary would be included. 

The Chairman confirmed that the guide is intended for use online and the colour pages help to carry the message more clearly and aid comprehension and that hyperlinks will be added to aid navigation.

The Chairman thanked the Committee for their work and the Officers for a comprehensive document which was easy to read.

The Solicitor suggested a revised wording adding to resolution (i) to include that a glossary is added to the document.

As there were no further questions the Chairman took the Committee to the recommendations which was agreed unanimously.      

RESOLVED

The Committee:

(i)    Considered and commented on the proposed changes to the draft Design Guide SPD set out in Appendix 1 with a glossary added;

(ii)   Considered and agreed the revised draft Design Guide SPD in Appendix 2; and

(iii)   Recommended to Council the adoption of the Design Guide as an SPD for use  in the consideration and determination of planning applications.