Core Strategy Preferred Options document - Amazon Web Services

Strategies, Activities and Actions – Character of Place
The Vision: In five
years....
The built heritage of
the District continues
to be supported and
enhanced.
The Vision: By
2017...
The quality of the
District’s built
environment has been
enhanced through the
implementation of
heritage intiatives,
which has provided an
additional incentive for
tourism.
New mixed housing
developments which
are of a high quality,
sustainable design
have been completed.
Character of Place
Introduction
The District has a distinctive character we need to protect. We are
committed to both maintaining and enhancing environmental quality in
the District.
All new development will be expected to make a positive contribution to
this character and be of high quality design. Quality of design is important
everywhere within the District. It is essential to producing attractive,
vibrant, sustainable places, in which people want to live, work and relax.
Government policy contained in Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) –
Delivering sustainable development, makes it clear that good design
should be the aim of all those involved in the development process. PPS3
– Housing, also emphasises the need to create places, streets and
spaces which meet the needs of people, are visually attractive, safe,
accessible, functional, inclusive, have their own distinctive identity and
maintain and improve local character.
Design
Rochford District has a unique character and appearance, much of which
stems from the traditional buildings that still dominate the towns and
villages. However, more recently the adoption of modern standardised
building materials and building design has, in some cases, begun to
erode the character of the District. We aim to follow the principles of good
urban design set out in national policies and ensure the design of all new
and existing development is consistent with the local character.
Design will be expected to enhance local identity by being sympathetic to
local needs and by building on local opportunities. Corporate identities,
and in-house building styles, will be expected to be adapted to the local
setting and not the other way around.
We will encourage and support the production of Village Design
Statements (VDS) for settlements in the District. These are communityled
guidance documents outlining the distinct character of villages and
their proposed future development from a local perspective. Design
Statements will encourage community ownership and inform planners,
designers and developers of sustainable opportunities for village
enhancement.
Promoting good design may sometimes conflict with other aims, for
example, promoting renewable energy. While promoting the development
of small-scale renewable energy projects, we will ensure the location,
scale, design and other factors are carefully considered.
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