West of Horsham Design Principles and Character Areas

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Role of this Supplementary Planning Document

1.1 The aim of this document is to provide guidance on design matters for developers and others preparing planning applications and for those considering applications. Site specific design guidance which amplifies the policies of the LDF and the West of Horsham Masterplan SPD will help to ensure that the future development of this site is of high quality and appropriate to its context. The guidance is intended to amplify Policy CP7 of the adopted Local Development Framework (LDF) Core Strategy 2007 and other policies within the Core Strategy and adopted LDF General Development Control Policies document that relate to design.

1.2 It is intended that the document will provide an appropriate brief to developers which clearly sets out the Council's expectations in relation to matters such as building design and scale, layout and landscape strategy. The principles involved in designing character areas are set out in Section 3 and these have been applied to five new interlinking character areas which are explained in Section 4. This SPD does not seek to design the scheme nor the detailed design and layout of the character areas. It does however identify and develop the principles involved and provides design guidance that will be a mechanism for good design across the whole site.

1.3 The developers when preparing their detailed Masterplans and accompanying application documents will need to address the guidance and requirements of both the Masterplan SPD and this Design SPD and all the relevant policies of the adopted LDF as part of the design process. 

1.4 The Core Strategy is the overarching document in the LDF and Policy CP7 sets out the broad development principles for the strategic location West of Horsham. This strategic location will provide 2000 homes and will account for a substantial proportion of the District’s housing provision to 2018. The Council is consequently seeking to achieve an exemplary development of high quality design and layout.

1.5 There are various design related references within Policy CP7, i.e.

• ‘the development should be integrated with Horsham and Broadbridge Heath whilst taking account of their separate identities and should reflect the needs of the communities in terms if their facilities and services;
• the current western part of the A264 Broadbridge Heath bypass will be closed or downgraded in order to help integrate the new development with the existing community;
• the opportunities provided by the comprehensive approach to the development of this area should be maximised to enhance the environment, including the quality of open spaces and links to the countryside beyond (including to Denne Hill and the River Arun as a key part of the setting of the town), and enhancements to habitats and the local landscape generally.’
   

1.6 In addition to CP7, this Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) supplements Policy CP3 in seeking to improve the quality of new development; complement the varying character of the District; contribute to a sense of place and optimise the potential of the site to accommodate development, including high quality open spaces.

1.7 The adopted LDF General Development Control Policies document (GDCP) sets out the detailed development control policies against which planning applications are judged. This SPD supplements Policy DC2 of the GDCP in respect of protection/conservation of the key characteristics of the existing landscape character of the area and also Policy DC9 which provides a series of development principles that must be taken into account in the preparation of proposals for development.