Kent Design - A guide to sustainable development - Kent County ...

KentDesign 

a guide to sustainable development 

Kent Association of Local Authorities

Kent Association of Local Authorities (KALA) 

Kent Planning Officers’ Group (KPOG) 

Kent Technical Officers’ Association (KTOA) 

Kent Design Initiative 

Chairman: Tony Every-Brown 

Partners include: 

Ashford Borough Council 

Canterbury City Council 

Construction Sector Group, Learning and Business Link Co. Ltd 

Council for the Protection of Rural England 

Dartford Borough Council 

Dover District Council 

English Heritage 

Gravesham Borough Council 

Government Office for the South-East 

House Builders Federation 

Institution of Civil Engineers 

Kent Architecture Centre 

Kent County Constabulary 

Kent County Council 

Kent Developers’ Group 

Kent Federation of Amenity Societies 

Kent Institute of Art & Design 

Maidstone Borough Council 

Medway Council 

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors 

Royal Town Planning Institute 

Sevenoaks District Council 

Shepway District Council 

Soroptimists International 

Swale Borough Council 

Thanet District Council 

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council 

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council 

University of Greenwich 

Womens’ Institute 

ISBN i901509362 

The information contained in this publication was as far as known correct at the date of issue. The 

publishers cannot, however, accept any responsibility for any error or omission. 

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or 

transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, 

without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. 

Printed in England. 

© Kent Association of Local Authorities

Foreword 

Introduction 

Objectives & Principles 

process 

1 Collaboration 

2 Innovation 

3 Life cycle 

land-use 

4 Mixed-use 

5 Movement 

design 

6 Locality 

7 Safety 

8 Maximising use 

9 Resources 

10 Green space 

general appendix 

Policy context 

Contacts 

Glossary 

Credits 

Bibliography 

contents 

Kent 

Design

This Guide is published jointly by all the Local Authorities in Kent – County, Unitary and District Councils – on behalf 

of all the communities we represent. It has been prepared with the assistance of many people representing a wide 

range of interests; developers, housebuilders, the professions, environmental bodies, amenity societies, consumers, 

academia, and central and local government. 

The common thread that has bound all these interests together is the recognition that good design is a ‘triple-bottomline’ 

issue - good for the economy, the environment and the community. 

Working together to realise this document has been a powerful process. It has raised the level of mutual understanding 

of complex issues that contribute to the success or failure of development proposals. I believe that process will serve 

to benefit future negotiations between applicant and development controller – the arena where conflicting objectives 

must be resolved and the balance struck. All parties involved in shaping this Guide are convinced that collaboration is 

one of the keys to achieving good design. 

I also believe there will be other ‘winners’ if this Guide is followed. They are the future inhabitants of Kent. The Guide 

breaks new ground by examining, in considerable breadth, issues of environmental responsibility and sustainability – 

that is; meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own 

needs. 

On behalf of the Kent Association of Local Authorities, and the many organisations who through the Steering Group 

and various working groups have played a crucial role in its production, I wholeheartedly commend this Guide to all 

involved in the development process in this wonderfully rich and diverse county. Together, we face tremendous 

challenges; to create wealth and employment opportunities; to regenerate economically, socially and environmentally 

deprived areas; to protect heritage and biodiversity; and to conserve the unique and distinctive character of Kent. 

We owe it to our children, and to all future generations, to do our very best. 

Cllr. Mike J. Hayes 

Chairman 

Kent Association of Local Authorities 

A G U I D E T O S U S T A I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T 

foreword 


Design 

3


Design A G U I D E T O S U S T A I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T

introduction 



i.1 Design and development play a key role in achieving a 

strong economy, creating employment opportunities, 

ensuring good access to services and providing safe, 

attractive surroundings. 

i.4 The guidance it contains is applicable to all types of 

development whether large or small, urban or rural, 

residential or commercial, in the public or private sector. 

It looks beyond the design of individual buildings to their 

context - the spaces, streets and other elements of the 

public realm which together form the total environment. 

introduction 

6 

i.1 Bluewater, Kent - investing in high quality design 

i.2 Our quality of life, and that of future generations, 

depends on us making good use of natural resources and 

providing protection for the environment. We, therefore, 

need to ensure that the needs of new and existing 

communities are met, wherever possible at the local 

level, thus reducing energy consumption and pollution by 

limiting the need to travel. Our social and economic wellbeing 

depends on strong communities with a mix of local 

businesses, types of housing and tenure, good schools and 

a well-developed social infrastructure. Planning for new 

development should seek to enhance this sense of local 

community. 

PURPOSE OF THE GUIDE 

i.3 The purpose of this Guide is, therefore, to promote 

sustainability and good design in Kent. Its aim is to 

encourage development which safeguards what is of value 

whilst enriching the environment for future generations. 

i.3 Station Road West, Canterbury - adding to the grain of the city on 

an urban brownfield site 

i.4 New Ash Green, Kent - an innovative approach towards creating 

a new village community 

i.5 It explains how objectives set out in national, regional 

and local plan policies might be achieved at the local level. 

In doing so, it seeks to promote development which will 

maintain Kent’s unique and distinctive character and 

heritage. It encourages developers to reject ‘off-the-peg’ 

solutions, such as standard `village’ house types and 

inflexible corporate designs for commercial property. 

APPROACH 

i.6 Many organisations and individuals are involved in the 

development process and all can contribute to the 

success or failure of a scheme. For this reason, the Guide 

places considerable emphasis on process and 

collaboration as critical elements in the achievement of 

good design. To encourage the drive for better quality and 

locally distinctive design, this Guide is less prescriptive 

than previous versions and offers more flexibility. There is 

more scope for creativity and innovation. 

i.7 The Guide takes a neutral stance on issues of style, 

recognising that historically accurate detailing and modern 

architecture can each play their part. The primary aim 

should be the achievement of high quality, based on 

meeting the needs of sustainability and function, taking 

into account the local context to determine the best 

solution for a given site. 



POLICY CONTEXT 

i.13 Issues of sustainability and design are firmly seated in 

national, regional and local policies. The United 

Kingdom’s Strategy for Sustainable Development 1 

recognises that future development cannot simply follow 

the models of the past; we need to achieve economic, 

social and environmental objectives at the same time, and 

consider the longer term implications of decisions. 

i.7 Kings Hill School, Kent - high quality school design 

i.8 Kent Design seeks to challenge designers and 

development controllers alike by setting out a series of 

objectives and principles, illustrated with case studies. It 

encourages solutions that are tailored to the needs of 

each site and locality, taking into account the existing and 

future needs of local communities. By observing such 

principles, developers can be confident about the 

acceptability of their proposals. 

i.9 The Guide is not a rule book. It is not intended to be 

prescriptive but instead offers examples of how the 

objectives and principles have been met by developers on 

sites within and beyond Kent. In selecting these examples, 

no attempt has been made to be comprehensive - the 

Guide should be seen as a starting point for developer 

innovation and local interpretation. 

i.10 General and technical appendices are included to 

assist designers with their understanding of the wider 

policy and administrative context for their work, and to 

provide engineering specifications which will be 

acceptable to the Highway Authority when considering 

the adoption of new roads, cycleways and footpaths. 

STATUS OF THE GUIDE 

i.11 The Guide has been prepared with the assistance of 

a wide range of interested parties. Developers, architects, 

environmental bodies, amenity groups and consumer 

interests have all made a contribution, together with staff 

from leisure, health, transport and planning departments 

of Kent’s local authorities. In addition, an extensive 

consultation process took place on the draft Guide. 

i.12 Kent Design - a guide to sustainable development 

is published by the Kent Association of Local Authorities 

and commended to individual Local Authorities - Kent 

County Council, Medway Council and the 12 District 

Councils - for adoption as supplementary planning 

guidance. Once adopted, the Guide will be a material 

consideration in the determination of planning 

applications. 

i.13 focus on sustainable development within existing urban boundaries 

i.14 In order to achieve sustainable and high-quality 

development, appropriate strategies, policies and 

guidance must be in place. Development plan policies can 

promote sustainable development by encouraging good 

design, reducing dependence on the car and by 

encouraging the efficient use of resources. Development 

briefs and other forms of design guidance (such as Village 

Design Statements and Conservation Area studies) can 

build on these policies to promote successful new 

schemes. 

NATIONAL POLICIES 

i.15 In seeking to promote sustainable development, the 

Government advocates making best use of recycled land 

and sites which are accessible by public transport. It 

suggests testing assumptions about the effect of densities 

and car parking on the capacity of urban areas to 

accommodate housing. The Government also points to 

the potential role of mixed-use development and urban 

villages. 

i.16 Two policy statements that have reinforced this 

emphasis on sustainability are the Government’s revisions 

to Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 13: Transport 2 , 


introduction 



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introduction 

8 

which is intended to reduce dependence on the car and 

promote public transport, and PPG 3 on Housing (1999) 3 

which emphasises the need to raise development density, 

particularly in areas with good public transport links (see 

Policy Context for more detailed policy guidance). The 

Crime & Disorder Act 1998 underpins the need to take a 

holistic approach to the design of safe and secure 

developments. Kent Design has been produced to meet 

the objectives of this national policy guidance. 

i.17 There is a shift in Government investment away from 

new road building and towards public transport, as 

reflected in Transport Supplementary Grant and 

Transport Policies and Programmes settlements. Future 

fiscal measures are likely to penalise both car-ownership 

and use. Urban Transportation Packages are seen by 

Government as having an important role to play in 

providing the infrastructure necessary to promote 

efficient and sustainable transport patterns and allowing 

people to make the changes in transport habits upon 

which many sustainability targets are based. 

KENT STRUCTURE PLAN POLICIES 

i.18 The Kent Structure Plan 1996 provides the strategic 

framework for promoting a sustainable pattern of new 

development which will reduce both the need to travel 

and energy consumption. It indicates the development 

requirements in different parts of the County - identifying 

areas suitable for major growth and regeneration such as 

Kent Thames-side. It seeks to make the best use of land 

and to concentrate housing within the County’s urban 

areas, promoting well designed, mixed-use development 

which also protects the environment. The Structure Plan 

4th Review, developed jointly with Medway Council, will 

reinforce these principles. 

LOCAL PLAN POLICIES 

i.19 Local Plans are prepared by District Councils. They 

identify, on a site-specific basis, where development 

should take place. Local Plans lay down the criteria against 

which specific planning applications can be assessed. They 

may also specify associated infrastructure, access, design 

and landscaping requirements and the appropriate use, or 

mix of uses, for a site. 

SOCIAL TRENDS 

i.20 Social trends are important considerations in 

planning for new development. There is a continuing 

trend towards smaller, single-person households. In 1991 

they constituted 25.4% of all households - the projected 

figure for 2011 is 34%. Average household size in Kent 

has reduced from 2.85 in 1971 to 2.5 in 1991, and is 

forecast to decrease to 2.26 by 2011 4 . This reflects a 

number of factors: 

• greater longevity 

• greater independence of the young 

• reducing numbers and later age of marriage 

• greater incidence of divorce and separation 

• decline in average family size. 

i.21 Given the diverse character of these changes it would 

be over-simplistic to equate growth in smaller households 

solely with the provision of small units of accommodation. 

Research findings support the view that people tend to 

buy houses based on affordability rather than their 

household size. 

i.22 The greater use of the home as a work-base and the 

increasing proportion of pensioners within the population 

may weaken the distinction between home and work. 

Increases in fuel taxes and the possibility of road pricing 

may have an influence on the distances people are 

prepared to travel for work and other purposes. It is 

undeniable that ongoing growth of car ownership is 

difficult to reverse. It is, nevertheless, an aim of this Guide 

to encourage development which reduces car use. The 

framework needs to be put in place now to accommodate 

the changing transport patterns of the future. 

i.23 Investing in high-quality reliable and cheap 

alternatives may encourage people to make fewer trips 

by car, but for many the car will be perceived as the most 

comfortable and convenient mode of transport, at least in 

the short term. 

CONSUMER RESEARCH 

i.24 A number of research studies have been 

commissioned by the development industry to identify 

consumer preferences. Whilst the public may support the 

broad principles of sustainability, this research suggests 

that, in practice, they find it difficult to accept alternative 

lifestyles. People enjoy, or are dependant on, the freedom 

of the car. 

They aspire to live in large detached houses, preferably in 

rural surroundings. However, research commissioned by 

the Urban Task Force 5 indicates that for many, city living 

and urban lifestyles are an attractive proposition. 

C A S E S T U D Y 

KERB APPEAL - THE POPULAR HOUSING FORUM 1998 

i.24 Kerb Appeal (Popular Housing Forum) 

Key findings: 

• new build is generally regarded negatively - 

cramped and lacking individuality; 

• people value safety and quietness, preferring 

culs-de-sac to busy roads; 

• people desire a village-like environment; 

• enough space for parking (ideally a garage); 



• based on a selection of photographs of house 

types, they prefer traditional rather than 

contemporary design; 

• privacy is important; and 

• people like to be near but not next to facilities. 


HOME ALONE - 

THE HOUSING RESEARCH FOUNDATION 1998 

Key findings: 

• one-person households have similar housing 

preferences and aspirations to family households; 

• not all one-person households are single people 

nor do all of them have only one property; 

• the majority of one-person householders in their 

middle years will be homeowners and they are 

likely to be discerning purchasers; 

• some may prefer urban living but not all; 

• some may be divorced and need accommodation 

for visiting children; 

• single people may still want enough 

accommodation for friends and family to stay; 

• some are older people looking to move out of 

larger houses into smaller, high-quality homes in 

desirable areas. They still want convenient access 

to facilities; and 

• quality and safety in the environment is important. 

i.25 It is also important to raise public expectations of 

what new development can deliver and to ensure that the 

benefits of features such as high-quality landscape, good 

urban design, water conservation and energy efficiency 

can be recognised and appreciated. The ultimate test, 

however, will be what takes place on the ground in 

forthcoming years. 

REFERENCES: 

1 A Better Quality of Life - A strategy for sustainable development for the 

United Kingdom. Published 17 May 1999 by the Department of the 

Environment, Transport and the Regions 

2 Planning Policy Guidance Note 13 Transport; Department of the 

Environment, Transport & the Regions, October 1999 (Public consultation 

draft at time of writing) 

3 Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 Housing; Department of the 

Environment, Transport & the Regions, March 1999 (Public consultation 

draft at time of writing) 

4 Kent Structure Plan 3rd Review Technical Working Paper, Kent County 

Council, 1/94 revised 1996, p 46,48 

5 But would you live there? Shaping attitudes to urban living, Urban Task 

Force, Department of the Environment, Transport & the Regions, 

February 1999 


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objectives & principles 




12 

1. Adopt a proactive and collaborative 

approach to development proposals 

to achieve the optimum solution for a 

given site 

1.1: Positive and early dialogue on scheme development 

should be encouraged 

1.2: Local Authorities should promote a Development 

Team approach 

1.3: Adequate preparation should be ensured before 

negotiations are undertaken 

1.4: The local community should become involved in 

project development 

1.5: Systems for the monitoring and bench-marking of 

schemes should be put in place 

1.6: Local Planning Authorities should build on the 

principles provided by Kent Design in the 

preparation of detailed design guidance for specific 

areas and sites. 

2. Seek environmentally sustainable 

solutions through innovative design 

2.1: Developers should seek to enhance environmental 

quality and sustainability through innovative 

solutions in both transport and building design 

2.2: Local Authorities will encourage innovation by 

welcoming those proposals which promote quality 

in design 

2.3: To assist developers, local authorities should be 

aware of best practice both here and abroad to 

keep abreast of latest thinking 

2.4: Developers should be prepared to commission skills 

in order to promote innovative design solutions 

2.5: Local authorities should assist developers with Kent 

Design’s principles through training workshops or 

seminars 

2.6: Both developers and local authorities should be 

prepared to stimulate thinking by local communities 

about design issues through education and promotion. 

3. Ensure the public realm is maintained 

for its lifecycle through formal adoption 

or other management arrangements 

3.1: Consideration should be given to the whole life of 

any planned development so that appropriate 

mechanisms are in place to ensure a sustainable 

future 

3.2: The intended function of all land within any given 

site must be established at the outset 

3.3: All open space within any site must have an 

identified use 

3.4: The proposed system of long-term maintenance, 

and how this will be funded, must be established at 

the outset 

3.5: Consultation over the maintenance and function of 

key areas should be undertaken with the local 

community (if appropriate) 

4. Bring together residential, commercial, 

retail and community uses in a manner 

which reduces the need to travel and 

improves quality of life 

4.1: Proposals should incorporate the principles of 

mixed-use development including the provision of 

conveniently located community infrastructure 

4.2: Masterplans and development briefs should consider 

the mix and disposition of uses between and within 

developments and how these uses will be delivered 

4.3: The community should be included at an 

appropriate stage in the design process to ensure 

their input into the chosen mix of uses 

4.4: Good pedestrian and cycling routes should be 

provided 

4.5: Mixed use developments should address the need 

to protect the amenity of a variety of occupiers 

4.6: Proposals should clarify funding, delivery and management 

arrangements for each component of a scheme. 

5. Promote the movement of people by 

walking, cycling and public transport 

to reduce car dependency and 

maintain and improve air quality 

5.1: Viable public transport should be provided at the 

initial phase of a new development 

5.2: Public transport should be brought into the heart of 

the development where appropriate 

5.3: Developers and/or commercial enterprise should 

submit green commuter plans for larger sites 

5.4: Linked bus and train timetables and throughticketing 

should be promoted 

5.5: Highway standards for private cars should reflect 

the provision of alternative modes of transport 

(buses, cycleways and walkways) 

5.6: Access provision should be appropriate to the size 

and frequency of essential vehicles 

5.7: Parking provision should be appropriate to locality 

and the availability of alternative modes of transport 

5.8: Developments should be readily permeable allowing 

safe, direct routes for pedestrians, cyclists and the 

mobility impaired 

5.9: New infrastructure for cycling, walking and riding 

should be linked into existing networks 

5.10: Convenient cycle storage should be incorporated 

into properties and destinations. 

6. Embrace local distinctiveness, 

promote quality and protect existing 

features of cultural, visual and 

historical importance 

6.1: New development should embrace good contextual 

design principles 

6.2: New development should express the distinctive 

quality of the natural topography, existing landscape 

and built character of the site 


Design A G U I D E T O S U S T A I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T 

16 

24 

30 

34 

42 

50

6.3: New development should respect local architectural 

heritage, make optimum use of existing buildings and 

recognise landmark buildings and features 

6.4: Proposals for rural sites should reflect the particular 

considerations and sensitivity of such areas 

6.5: The use of both traditional and modern materials 

and technologies should be evaluated by developers 

6.6: New design should avoid a confused application of 

architectural styles or inappropriate historic imitation 

6.7: Development should be human in scale and provide 

permeability and visual interest to those on foot 

6.8: Caution should be taken to prevent excessive or 

inappropriate external lighting, particularly in 

sensitive areas. 

62 

7. Provide a safe, healthy and secure 

environment for both people and 

property 

7.1: There should be a clear distinction between public 

and private space 

7.2: Schemes should incorporate shared areas to 

encourage walking, cycling and socialising and to 

enhance safety and security 

7.3: Design should encourage self-policing and offer 

surveillance of property 

7.4: A sense of ownership should be encouraged 

through the quality of the public realm 

7.5: Building design should conform to the latest safety 

and security advice 

7.6: An appropriate level of lighting should be provided 

to enhance safety and security 

7.7: Highway infrastructure should not dominate the 

layout of estates 

7.8: Speed restraint should be an integral part of road 

design 

7.9: Speed restraint measures should reflect local character 

7.10: Priority should be given to the safety of pedestrians 

and cyclists over cars 

7.11: Developments should be designed to meet the 

needs of people with disabilities 

7.12: New developments should be designed to provide a 

healthy environment. 

70 

8. Maximise the use of land by 

encouraging the development of 

recycled land and increasing density 

8.1: Development should maximise the site’s potential 

8.2: The use of recycled land and re-use of existing 

buildings should be encouraged 

8.3: Contaminated land must be treated in an 

appropriate manner prior to development 

8.4: Principles of increased density and diversity should 

be promoted 

8.5: The development should add to the quality of the 

environment and the surrounding area 

8.6: Developments must ensure the protection of privacy 

and amenity for a variety of new and existing occupiers. 

80 

9. Conserve natural resources and 

minimise pollution in the layout, 

construction and ongoing use of 

development 

9.1: The environmental sustainability of all construction 

materials should be considered 

9.2: Proposals should prevent the inefficient use of 

materials and energy on site by adopting the 

protocol of the ‘3 ‘R’s’: reduce, re-use and recycle 

9.3: Proposals should incorporate energy conservation 

features 

9.4: Proposals should be supported by a sustainability 

statement 

9.5: An evaluation of the environmental performance of 

a development (such as BREEAM) should be 

considered as part of the design process 

9.6: Design should demonstrate flexibility to allow for 

re-use and adaptation of buildings over time 

9.7: All redundant buildings, regardless of their 

architectural quality, should be considered as a 

valuable resource for potential re-use 

9.8: Sustainable water management techniques should be 

incorporated into design and infrastructure proposals 

9.9: Proposals should provide opportunities for the 

protection of water supplies by harnessing rainfall 

9.10: Development should provide a range of waterefficient 

appliances and systems to reduce water usage 

9.11: Development should protect the quality of water 

resources by appropriate treatment of sewage and 

run-off, and through use of reed beds where practical 

9.12: New development should minimise negative 

impacts on air quality and the release of CO2 

9.13: Measures should be taken to minimise the risk of 

soil pollution. 

92 

10. Conserve, create and integrate open 

space, landscape and natural habitats 

as part of development 

10.1: The value of open space, landscape and nature 

conservation should be recognised within 

development proposals 

10.2: New development should respond to site 

characteristics and context: this should include 

protecting sensitive sites and minimising any impacts 

10.3: Proposals should identify appropriate mitigation 

measures to address the impact of a development 

and to compensate for lost habitats and landscape 

features; opportunities should also be taken to 

enhance the existing and planned environment 

10.4: Proposals should contribute towards the creation of 

a network of open space and promote accessibility 

from residential and commercial areas to green 

space 





13


14 

10.5: Strategies should be submitted which address the 

long-term maintenance of proposed open space, 

landscape and nature conservation areas 

10.6: Plans should be submitted to address the 

implementation of open space, nature conservation 

and landscaping proposals including adequate 

measures to safeguard features of landscape and 

nature conservation interest during construction 

10.7: Green space proposals should be used to achieve 

other design objectives such as biodiversity, 

resource minimisation and community safety. 



Encouraging a pro-active 

and collaborative approach 

to the design process and 

putting in place long-term 

management measures 

process 



collaboration 



O B J E C T I V E 

1 

Adopt a proactive and collaborative approach to development 

proposals to achieve the optimum solution for a given site 

collaboration 

16 

Principle 1.1: Positive and early dialogue on scheme 

development should be encouraged 

1.1.1 Local authorities may find themselves under 

pressure to deal speedily with requests for advice from 

developers. Authorities should resist giving hurried advice 

and ensure that they have the necessary staff resources 

and expertise (including appropriate training of 

councillors) to meet the day-to-day challenge of securing 

good design for their area. 

1.1.2 Pre-application negotiations between the 

developer, the local authority and other agents can be 

mutually beneficial and allow potential difficulties and risks 

to be identified and dealt with. 

1.1.3 Landowners can become part of the pre-application 

process by consulting with local authorities before selling 

land and by being involved in the preparation of 

development briefs. They should also give realistic tender 

deadlines to allow developers sufficient time to identify 

the relevant planning issues associated with a site. 

Landowners may also need to temper expectations of 

development value, for example where sites have 

inherent characteristics which are worthy of retention, or 

where there are infrastructure requirements which need 

to be taken into account. 

1.1.4 There is a clear responsibility for developers to 

employ appropriately skilled professionals, such as 

architects, landscape architects, urban designers and 

ecologists, to prepare schemes. While this may have cost 

and time implications for a developer, seeking advice at 

the right time can prove to be cost-effective by reducing 

the risk of delay during the processing of an application. 

Investing in quality can also add value to a development. 

1.1.5 Design panels can form a valuable tool by offering 

expertise on the architectural and urban design quality of 

proposed schemes. The Kent Architecture Centre is able 

to arrange an independent assessment of development 

proposals on behalf of the developer or the local 

authority. It can also provide a neutral forum for debate 

on major schemes, including helping local communities to 

articulate their views on the impact of schemes. 

Principle 1.2: Local Authorities should promote a 

development team approach 

1.2.1 A developer needs to be advised early about the 

likely planning issues arising from a proposed 

development. The precise make-up of the development 

team will vary with each proposal but the approach brings 

together all those with an interest in a given application, 

for example: planners, architects, transportation 

engineers, road safety auditors, building control officers, 

environmental health officers, landscape architects, and 

water companies, energy and resource suppliers, and the 

waste collections authority. It is important to include 

those organisations who have a responsibility for 

providing services such as education and social services, 

fire and police, and specialists such as conservation 

officers, archaeologists, ecologists, legal representatives 

and urban designers. This allows for a co-ordinated 

response to be relayed back to the developer. (See also 

principle 1.4 on Community Involvement.) 

1.2.2 Good leadership and adequate staff resources are 

essential components of the development team 

approach. In the case of planning applications the coordination 

of feedback will usually rest with the Planning 

Authority’s case officer. More complex schemes are likely 

to draw in a wider range of interests but the principle of 

ensuring that the appropriate advice is fed back to the 

developer at the appropriate time applies whatever the 

scale of the development. 


THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM APPROACH 

PRINCIPLE 1.2 

In Tonbridge & Malling, major or complex proposals 

are taken to an internal pre-application “early 

warning” meeting which brings together a range of 

specialist interests including policy and development 

control planners, transportation engineers, building 

control, environmental health and landscape/leisure 

officers. The case officer then reports back to the 

scheme promoter with an agreed set of messages 

which can be taken into account in deciding whether 

and how to proceed. These may include information 

not directly pertinent to the planning application but 

which could impact on the scheme at a later stage 

such as Building or Environmental Health 

regulations, which it may be useful for the scheme 

promoter to be aware of early on. Once a formal 

application is submitted, internal consultation takes 

place and if necessary follow-up meetings are held to 

resolve issues that might emerge during the 

application process. 

Brighton and Hove Council was involved in a 

Department of the Environment pilot project* 

intended to improve development control 

procedures for the business user. The Council 

decided to put into practice a development team 

approach for all medium and large commercial 

(rather than domestic) applications for development. 

This involved identifying for each application, those 

agencies which may have an interest and consulting 

them at the outset, thus identifying potential 

problems and conflicts of interest, such as between 

planning and building control. The Council held a 

seminar to bring all agents together, to identify the 



ole of each player and discuss potential areas of 

conflict. The feedback from developers and officers 

has been positive. Applicants were assured that the 

final decision on the application would not be 

affected by the new procedures but it was felt that 

the process was smoother and speedier and that 

officer-time spent on an application was no greater, 

but merely organised more effectively. 

(* see ‘One Stop Shop: Development Team 

Approach’, DETR, 1998) 1 

Principle 1.3: Adequate preparation should be ensured 

before negotiations are undertaken. 

1.3.1 Before entering into negotiations with a local 

authority, a developer should undertake a preliminary site 

and project appraisal that could include: 

• Assessing the character of the site, its surroundings 

and pattern of development, building form and the 

qualities that make it locally distinctive; 

• Identifying site constraints such as tree preservation 

orders, major sewers or wildlife designations; 

• Commissioning a comprehensive site survey and 

reports, as appropriate, on soil condition, 

arboriculture, archaeology, historic landscape, noise, 

ecology, habitat and land contamination; 

• Assessing public open space criteria, density criteria, 

local social housing policy, the need for community 

facilities, public transport, waste and energy 

arrangements, visibility splays, road widths and any 

current supplementary planning guidance; 

• Preparing layout sketches to show design concepts 

and site characteristics and how these might influence 

the scheme; 

• Submitting a design statement to show the relationship 

between the proposed development and the local 

context; this can be a written explanation of how the 

site was analysed and assessed and how the detailed 

design has evolved; and 

• Preparing a sustainability strategy, including how 

resources are to be used and recycled. 

Principle 1.4: The local community should become 

involved in project development 

1.4.1 Good design can be promoted through information, 

education and dialogue between all parties involved in or 

affected by new development. This should include 

developers, planners, landowners and, most importantly, 

the general public. The public, residents groups and 

amenity societies can provide a wealth of local knowledge 

and their involvement in the design process can be 

invaluable, ensuring that designers are fully aware of local 

context and of local priorities and concerns. 

1.4.2 It is important to acknowledge that some people, 

particularly the more vulnerable sectors of a community, 

may not be able to provide a unified or effective voice 

when confronted by development proposals. 

Participation measures may need to be tailored to ensure 

a wide-ranging involvement and where appropriate 

should target specific groups. 

1.4.3 Parish Councils and Town Councils are experienced 

in representing the needs and aspirations of their own 

communities. They also have a deep understanding of 

their locality and its history. It is important that their input 

is specifically sought at an early stage in the process. 

1.4.4 Community involvement can be encouraged by: 

• ‘Planning for Real’ 2 exercises and Planning Days, 

involving exhibitions of drawings and models, 

workshops and opportunities to comment 

• School projects 

• Architectural competitions for design of prestigious or 

public sector buildings 

• Permanent and temporary exhibitions. 

• LA 21 networks 

• Village design statements and village appraisals 

1.4.5 The public and their representatives have an 

important role to play at all key stages in the development 

of projects. They should be encouraged to participate in 

the preparation of local plans; conservation area policy 

statements; development briefs for specific sites; and 

village design statements in specific planning applications 

and proposals. Participation should be encouraged at both 

formal and informal consultation stages. In some cases it 

may be appropriate for a developer to promote the 

dialogue with the public; in other cases it may be 

appropriate for the local planning authority to take the 

lead. The community and its representatives should 

continue to be involved as the scheme develops. 


PLANNING FOR REAL - 

VICARAGE ESTATE, MILTON REGIS, KENT 

PRINCIPLE 1.4 

In 1998 Swale Borough Council and Swale Housing 

Association bid successfully for Single Regeneration 

Budget funds to improve the local environment, 

address problems of crime and community safety 

and improve the quality of life for residents on the 

Vicarage Estate, Milton Regis. It was decided that a 

Planning for Real exercise could effectively highlight 

the greatest areas of need according to those who 

actually live there. Calling on the expertise of the 

Kent Architecture Centre, residents and school 

children were involved in building a three 

dimensional model of the estate, supplemented by 

photographs. Invitations, which included entry into a 

Kentcollaboration 



17


18 

prize draw, were then sent to all local residents, and 

drew in over 100 participants. The model was used 

as the basis for identifying the priority issues, from 

road improvements to adult training opportunities. 

A follow up ‘open meeting’ was held to resolve 

which recommendations were realistically achievable 

and when each issue should be dealt with - ‘now’, 

‘soon’ or ‘later’. It was also important to classify 

what the community could achieve on its own, or 

whether an injection of funds or expertise from the 

local authority, or the resources of a larger 

partnership, were needed. 

Outcomes 

Clear priority was given to overcoming problems of 

crime and safety, and a series of measures to take 

place in the short term was mapped out, including:- 

• Security fencing, lighting and/or CCTV cameras 

• Neighbourhood Watch 

• Addressing drug taking and problem families 

• Traffic calming. 

The newly formed Residents Association (which 

resulted from the event) has held its first meeting, and 

a Clean Up Day to tackle problem areas has been 

proposed. The participation exercise tapped into the 

community aspiration for positive change, along with 

funding which could help realise at least some ideas to 

improve quality of life within the estate. 

Principle 1.5: Systems for the monitoring and 

benchmarking of schemes should be put in place 

1.5.1 Monitoring of both the design and environmental 

impact of a proposed development is vitally important in 

improving the quality of the built environment. This can be 

either a qualitative or a quantitative evaluation, or both. 

1.5.2 Environmental benchmarking can take the form of 

a comparison of developments one with another. It may 

be particularly useful to compare the quality and 

sustainability of developments within Kent with 

authorities elsewhere. 

1.5.3 Monitoring developments as they proceed is 

important to ensure that all the key elements of a scheme 

and any necessary conditions are properly implemented. 

It may be important to monitor the effectiveness of 

certain features of the design such as water-demand 

management, reduced car parking and higher 

development densities for future comparisons. It may also 

be appropriate, particularly with some innovative 

schemes, to impose conditions or seek legal agreements 

to address unforeseen problems. 

1.5.4 There may be cases where it is reasonable for local 

planning authorities to require, through planning 

conditions, developers to put in place a monitoring 

regime requiring a developer to respond in the event that 

approved tolerances are exceeded. Examples might 

include noise emissions or air quality. 

1.5.5 In order to assess the quality of their development 

control decisions, Sevenoaks District Council 

commissioned a review of the impact of development on 

a sample of occupiers and neighbours. 

Principle 1.6: Local Planning Authorities should build 

on the principles provided by Kent Design in the 

preparation of detailed design guidance for specific 

areas and sites. 

1.6.1 Local Plan policies can encourage sustainable 

transport, mixed-use development, environmental 

safeguards and mitigation measures. Such policies can 

help to send a clear message to developers of a local 

authority’s aspirations and expectations for a particular 

site. 

1.6.2 These policies might include the provision of 

community and physical infrastructure, landscaping, open 

space and access. Developers and the community then 

have an opportunity to challenge specific elements at a 

Local Plan inquiry. Once formally adopted, Local Plan 

policies have considerable weight. They can assist 

developers by giving them early notice of requirements so 

that these can be taken into account during the 

developer’s own decision-making processes. The Local 

Plan process may necessitate some preliminary survey 

work in order to identify the relevant key issues for a 

particular site. 


TONBRIDGE AND MALLING LOCAL PLAN POLICY P2/6 

AND P2/7(1998) 5 

PRINCIPLE 1.6 

For a major land release at Peters Pit, Wouldham, 

the Borough Council set down a number of 

requirements including:- 

• a new river crossing 

• on- and off-site highway improvements 

• an element of affordable housing 

• a network of green cycleways, pedestrian and 

equestrian links and facilities for the public 

• land restoration and treatment of contaminated 

land 

• environmental enhancements and landscaping to 

mitigate new development impacts 

• recycling facilities 

• provision of leisure and recreation facilities and a 

riverside footpath 

• provision for nature conservation management 

• an element of mixed use including community 

infrastructure 

1.6.3 Development briefs can be prepared by a local 

authority, landowner or developer. They can set down 

the parameters of what might be acceptable within a 

detailed planning application. A development brief is, 

therefore, a valuable mechanism for achieving good 


design. The issues that might be covered in such briefs are 

set out below: 

• how to respond to constraints and site characteristics, 

for example; listed buildings, ground conditions, 

contamination, access limitations, sensitive uses or 

buildings on or adjacent to the site; 

• definition of local character including townscape, 

landscape and nature conservation; 

• historic details; 

• additional infrastructure or facilities that should be 

provided; 

• planning standards to be applied and the degree of 

flexibility; 

• scale, massing and height of buildings; 

• influence of the property market; 

• site survey and assessment including features to be 

retained; 

• layout of circulation system (including servicing) for 

vehicles, public transport, pedestrians and cycles and 

how this should relate to open spaces; 

• developable areas, landscape design and structure of 

external spaces; 

• resource management such as water demand 

management, energy efficiency objectives; 

• arrangements for establishing and maintaining 

structural planting; and 

• phasing details to ensure key elements are delivered. 

RESEARCH 

1.6.4 The Department of The Environment Transport 

and The Regions has recently carried out research into 

development briefs. 6 This concluded that development 

briefs allow planning policies to be tuned to the specific 

characteristics of a given site. The research also 

concluded that briefs may need a specialist input for 

example; from urban designers, landscape architects, 

archaeologists and ecologists. 

1.6.5 It goes on to recommend that consultation on briefs 

should include landowners, current occupiers, the 

development industry, chambers of commerce, estate 

agents, statutory undertakers, other departments in the 

local authority, other local authorities, local community 

and interest groups. Consultation with the public might 

take a number of forms including: leaflets, public 

meetings, questionnaires, site notices, public exhibitions 

and participative workshops. 



GOSPORT BOROUGH LANDSCAPE 

AND TOWNSCAPE STUDY 1996 7 

PRINCIPLE 1.6 

1.6 Gosport Study 

(Gosport Borough Council & Landscape Design Partnership) 

This provides a detailed analysis of the urban 

environment at a local level. The first section 

identifies and assesses urban building types across 

the district, such as “inter-war suburbia” and “20th 

century industrial”. The study applies the same 

evaluation to landscape areas. It then goes on to 

describe character areas within the urban 

conurbation, highlighting their positive and negative 

characteristics, landmarks, colour palette and, 

significantly, the design objectives. The appendix 

provides a detailed list of criteria for the evaluation 

of an area, for example the texture, microclimate, 

skyline and building age and condition. 

SEVENOAKS HIGH STREET 

CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL 8 

PRINCIPLE 1.6 

This gives a detailed description of the geographic 

and historic context of Sevenoaks and is an example 

of many such appraisals carried out for Kent’s towns. 

By discussing individual buildings and groups of 

buildings and by giving details of materials, scale and 

decoration, the report manages to capture the sense 

of place (good and bad) created in different parts of 

the town. It describes the intricacies of the street 

pattern, footpath links and the quality of the street 

furniture and identifies important views into, within 

and out of the High Street. The report is intended to 

influence the development and implementation of 

planning and conservation policy within the town. 




19


HOLLOW LANE CANTERBURY DEVELOPMENT BRIEF 1998 9 

PRINCIPLE 1.6 

1.6.8 Village Design Statements are particularly effective 

when they are developed, researched, and written by 

local people; when they are representative of the views of 

the village as a whole; and when they involve a wide 

section of the village community in their production. The 

database used to produce the statements may also 

provide useful information to developers as part of the 

process of facilitating locally sensitive design. 


EDENBRIDGE VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT 10 

PRINCIPLE 1.6 


20 

1.6 Hollow Lane (Canterbury City Council) 

This brief related to a proposed residential development 

and identified the following key objectives: 

• promotion of energy efficiency 

• avoidance of car domination 

• provision for cars, pedestrians and cyclists in a safe 

and sensitive manner (avoid cul-de-sacs, provide a 

high degree of permeability/traffic calming with a 

10 mph home zone). 

• open space including six door-step play areas 

• an archaeological watching brief 

• noise investigation in respect of a major road near 

the site 

• provision of affordable housing and community 

infrastructure including education 

• respect for local character and views 

• promotion of water conservation measures. 

VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENTS AND VILLAGE APPRAISALS 

1.6.6 The concept of locally prepared village design 

statements was introduced by the Countryside 

Commission (now Countryside Agency) as a way of 

involving residents in order that local knowledge, ideas 

and views could contribute in a positive way to the future 

of a village or town. Village Design Statements are used as 

a means of ensuring that the character of a village is fully 

understood and taken into account in planning decisions. 

They are applicable to all forms and scale of development 

and their purpose is to manage change in a village, not 

prevent it. They should define features of local character 

and distinctiveness that deserve to be protected and 

enhanced by new development. Where they are 

compatible with the statutory planning system they can 

be approved as supplementary planning guidance. 

1.6.7 A Village Design Statement should: 

• describe the distinctive character of the village and 

surrounding landscape; 

• address regional diversity, local distinctiveness and the 

relationship of settlement to the surrounding landscape; 

• draw up design principles based on distinctive local 

character; and 

• work in partnership with the local planning authority 

within the context of existing local planning policy and 

so as to influence future policies. 

1.6 Edenbridge Village Design Statement (Edenbridge Town Forum) 

The preparation of the Edenbridge Village Design 

Statement was led by the Edenbridge Town Forum 

and involved the town council, Sevenoaks District 

Council, local residents, local community groups and 

schools. The Statement sets out the history of the 

village by identifying several of its key buildings and 

characteristic design features. Rural, developed and 

green spaces are described in detail for individual 

areas of the village to identify the key elements that 

give the village its character. The document is well 

illustrated and includes the community’s aspirations 

for new development; for example, indicating the 

types of design details that might complement 

existing development such as sensitive boundary 

treatment and the use of hung tiles and weather 

boarding. The Statement also makes specific 

reference to landscaping, street furniture, traffic and 

footpath issues. It has been adopted by Sevenoaks 

District Council as supplementary planning guidance. 

1.6.9 A Village Appraisal is a community based and 

community led assessment of the current level of services 

and facilities within a village and the current needs of its 

inhabitants. 


REFERENCES: 

1 One Stop Shop: Development Team Approach, Department of the 

Environment Transport and the Regions, 1998 

2 Planning for Real The Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation, Joseph 

Rowntree Foundation, 1997 

3 Vicarage Estate - Planning for Real Draft Report, Kent Architecture Centre; 

Swale Borough Council; Swale Housing Association, 1999 

4 Quality of Development Control Outcomes, University of Westminster, 1998 

5 Tonbridge and Malling Local Plan, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, 

1998 

6 Planning and Development Briefs: a Guide to Better Practice, Department 

of the Environment Transport and the Regions 1998 

7 Gosport Borough Landscape and Townscape Study, Gosport Borough 

Council and Hampshire County Council, 1996 

8 Sevenoaks High Street Conservation Area Appraisal, Sevenoaks District 

Council, 1998 

9 Hollow Lane, Canterbury Development Brief, Canterbury City Council 1998 

10 Edenbridge Village Design Statement, Edenbridge Town Forum, 1998 

CHECKLIST FOR OBJECTIVE 1: 

COLLABORATION 

• Have pre-application negotiations taken 

place? 

• Have appropriately skilled teams been 

used to develop the scheme? 

• Has appropriate survey work been 

undertaken? 

• Has the development team approach 

been adopted? 

• Have the public and its representatives 

been involved? 

• Has a masterplan or development brief 

been prepared and taken into account? 

• Has relevant detailed design guidance 

been taken into account? 

• Does the scheme comply with Local Plan 

policy? 

• Have monitoring regimes been 

submitted? 




21



innovation 




2 

Seek environmentally sustainable solutions through 

innovative design 

Principle 2.1: Developers should seek to enhance 

environmental quality and sustainability through 

innovative solutions in both transport and building design 

Problem: The design of the road axis depended 

upon a straight street layout of some 200m in length. 

Experience suggested that this layout would result in 

unacceptably high traffic speeds for a residential 

street. The target speed needed was 20mph. 

innovation 

24 


2.1 Ashford international station 

2.1.1 Schemes that demonstrate a high quality of design, 

environmental responsibility and sustainability principles 

should be promoted. Developers should seek innovative 

construction techniques whether using contemporary or 

traditional materials. Consideration should be given to 

embracing an urban design process which incorporates 

the needs of all users whilst raising overall design quality. 

Sites incorporating recycled land may present design 

problems that can only be overcome by taking an 

unconventional approach. Developers should also look at 

ways of reducing the need for car transport and 

encouraging more sustainable forms of travel. 

INNOVATIVE HIGHWAY DESIGN 

PRINCIPLE 2.1 

2.1 ‘Dumb roundabout’ 

Kings Hill is a large mixed use development sited on 

a disused aerodrome near West Malling. The 

developers, Rouse Kent, wished to promote a 

principal road axis through the residential area, 

focusing on the distant landmark of Mereworth 

Castle. Part of the axis was to be in a boulevard style 

layout, with a street pattern of houses set back 

behind tree planted verges. 

Solution: Based upon a width of 5.5m, the road was 

designed with ‘dumb roundabouts’ (circular central 

islands) sited at 70m intervals. The road width past 

these roundabouts was restricted by ‘over-run’ areas 

constructed with granite setts sunk partly into the 

road surface, thus creating a raised shoulder which 

larger vehicles are forced to mount. The effect has 

been to maintain low speeds (average 17mph) 

throughout the length. By using quality materials and 

employing the central island as a tree planting area the 

measures have been designed to blend in with the 

overall scheme. A ‘midi’ bus operates along this route. 

2.1.2 public art at King’s Hill, Kent 

Principle 2.2: Local authorities will encourage 

innovation by welcoming those proposals which 

promote quality in design 

2.2.1 First Church of Christ Scientist, Maidstone 



2.2.1 Local authorities should seek to encourage 

developers whose applications demonstrate innovative 

techniques, enhance sustainability and raise design quality. 

In order to encourage sustainable development, they 

should ensure that their processes are sufficiently flexible 

to deal with innovative proposals. Such proposals should 

be monitored and evaluated throughout the planning and 

construction process. Consideration should be given to a 

scheme of local merit awards to acknowledge innovation 

and achievement. 

system and an emphasis on passive solar gain, with 

automated blinds and shutters to prevent 

overheating. SAGA also provides a shuttle bus to 

transport employees to and from work. 

Principle 2.3: To assist developers, local authorities 

should be aware of best practice both here and 

abroad to keep abreast of latest thinking 


2.2.1 innovative detailing 

SAGA BUILDING, FOLKESTONE 

PRINCIPLE 2.2 

2.2 Saga Building, Folkestone 

Architects Michael Hopkins & Partners designed the 

new purpose-built headquarters for SAGA on 

recycled land in Folkestone. SAGA has long 

associations with Folkestone and is an important 

employer in the local economy. The planning 

application process was a collaborative one that kept 

the local community involved throughout. The Local 

Authority also adopted a positive stance to the 

innovative approach that has provided a prestigious 

new building in a high quality parkland setting. The 

building has been designed according to sustainability 

principles and incorporates a number of energy 

efficient components including a natural ventilation 

2.3.1 high quality building in Nimes 

2.3.1 Local authorities should be aware of the latest 

thinking in design and building techniques and should be 

prepared to train staff in order to give skilled support to 

developers putting forward innovative ideas. 

2.3.1 Chestnut Court, Broughton (Environ Homes) 

Kentinnovation 

2.3.2 Liaison between local authorities to discuss latest 

techniques, exchange information and to share 

experiences should be encouraged. Use of existing 

discussion forums should be maximised and links formed 

with locally based ‘sustainable’ interest organisations to 

keep abreast of latest thinking and techniques. 



25

Principle 2.4: Developers should be prepared to 

commission skills in order to promote innovative 

design solutions 

2.4.1 In order to raise the quality of design through 

innovation and creativity, developers should be prepared 

to call on outside skills to bring forward non-standard 

solutions to development challenges. 

• forging partnerships with local authorities, 

Greenwich University and housebuilders to put 

theory into practice on a site in Dartford 

• a proposed Timber Dwelling Research Centre at 

the University of Greenwich, Dartford and input 

into the neighbouring ecologically-focused London 

Science Park 

• application of timber technology by Hyde Housing 

in existing stock. 

Another innovative application of timber 

construction is the Light Footfall Building System by 

English Oak Direct. This creates relocatable modular 

buildings from sustainably sourced timber with a 

minimum lifespan of 100 years and a capacity for a 

minimum of 10 moves. 

2.4.1 innovative solution in Canterbury (Environ Homes) 


Principle 2.5: Local authorities should assist 

developers with Kent Design’s principles through 

training workshops or seminars 


26 

TIMBER DWELLING PROJECT 

PRINCIPLE 2.4 

Timber from renewable sources is a sustainable and 

natural building material. Hyde Housing Association 

has teamed up with TRADA (Timber Research and 

Design Association) Hastoe, Swale Housing 

Association and Beazer Homes to promote timber in 

house construction; to consider ways of using it 

more innovatively and producing it more sustainably. 

Countries such as Finland and Canada have a wealth 

of experience on such matters. 

2.6.2 timber dwelling (Amphion) 

The strength of this project lies in its holistic 

approach to sustainable development. Not only 

were ideas sought for the innovative use of timber in 

internal components such as doors and staircases 

but also for wider considerations such as: 

• assurance of sustainable forest management 

practices for all timber and wood products 

• Forestry Stewardship Council certifications 

• involving consumers at the design stage and 

assessing means of adapting dwellings to changing 

circumstances 

• focus groups of potential clients to discover their 

requirements 

2.5.1 joint developer/local authority training sessions 

2.5.1 In order to promote an understanding of the 

objectives and principles contained within the Guide and 

encourage better practice, it may be appropriate for local 

authorities to hold training seminars or workshops for 

local builders and developers. This will be particularly 

important in promoting innovation amongst smaller 

developers who may not have access to a full range of 

specialist advice and experience. 

Principle 2.6: Both developers and local authorities 

should be prepared to stimulate thinking by local 

communities about design issues through education 

and promotion 

2.6.1 Environmental education is important to raise 

people’s aspirations and expectations of the development 

process and to encourage an understanding of 

sustainability and design issues. Local Agenda 21 

campaigns (dealing, for example, with pollution, recycling 

and traffic reduction) will increasingly play a major role in 

promoting the principles of sustainability to the general 

public. Initiatives such as ‘Planning for Real’ days, local 

community focus groups and school projects can all assist 

in raising awareness of planning issues and by helping 

people to articulate their views. The local environment 

provides an ideal opportunity for exploring a number of 

subjects that complement the national curriculum. 


2.6.1 innovative quality housing in Norfolk. 

(Colin Blake, Norfolk County Council 1998) 

2.6.2 Good design can be promoted in a number of ways, 

for example through publicity, demonstration projects, 

environmental education, exhibitions, design 

competitions and awards. Local authorities and 

developers can also benefit from closer relationships with 

educational establishments. 


INNOVATION 

• Does the design incorporate innovative 

features and in what ways? 

• Has a timescale for the application 

process been agreed? 

• Has the local authority contributed 

process or design ideas to add value to 

the final scheme? 

• Have specialists such as architects or 

urban designers been involved in the 

development of the scheme? 

• Have local authority-led seminars been 

held to raise awareness and help inform 

the design process? 

• Where appropriate, has the scheme been 

considered by the local community and 

the potential for involving local schools 

investigated? 




27



life cycle 




3 

Ensure the public realm is maintained for its life cycle through 

formal adoption or other management arrangements 

Principle 3.1: Consideration should be given to the 

whole life of any planned development so that 

appropriate mechanisms are in place to ensure a 

sustainable future 

their local context, so that an appropriate balance of 

public and private realm can be achieved. At an early 

stage of design, all public or semi-public spaces within a 

site should be designated, so that adoption and 

maintenance proposals can be established and agreed. 

These areas include: 

• public open space 

• play areas 

• highway (including footways and cycleways), visibility 

splays and other areas required for highway 

maintenance or safety: this may include safety margins 

or service strips as appropriate 

• parking courts and squares 

• verges or margins between highway and footway 

• structures in the public realm 

• public art. 

life cycle 

30 

3.1 maintenance in action (KCC) 

3.1.1 Local planning authorities, the Highway Authority 

and developers all have a responsibility for the 

stewardship of any development over its whole life. 

Sustainability mechanisms should be put in place so that 

the care and maintenance of that development will 

contribute to rather than detract from its local 

environment. Elements that require particular 

consideration include the ongoing energy needs of the 

development, the durability of construction and the care 

and management of any landscaping and amenity space. 

Principle 3.2: The intended function of all land within 

any given site must be established at the outset 

3.2 designation and function 

3.2.1 All sites should be considered holistically, within 

3.2.2 Adoption arrangements, including the financial 

provision to be made for long-term maintenance, must be 

agreed at the outset between the developer and the Local 

Authority for all areas within a site. As design is dynamic, 

there must be flexibility to enable the site to evolve 

throughout the planning and construction process. 

Ongoing supervision should be maintained by highway, 

landscape or other officers with responsibility for 

adoption, to ensure an acceptable outcome. Contact 

should also be maintained with the developer to take into 

account any design changes. 

Principle 3.3: All open space within any site must have 

an identified use 

3.3.1 All open space should have a principal use. This is 

important to ensure that landscaping and open space 

makes a positive contribution to the development and are 

capable of being adequately maintained. Examples of 

these uses include: 

• formal (e.g. planted garden) 

• informal (e.g. quiet relaxation) 

• functional (e.g. ball games, jogging trails) 

• equipped (e.g. play area) 

• laid out (e.g. squares/courtyards) 

• visual amenity (e.g. screening/landscaped margin). 

Space that is non-functional or does not fall into any 

specifically defined category should be designed out (see 

Technical Appendix section 1.2). 



Principle 3.4: The proposed system of long-term 

maintenance, and how this will be funded, must be 

established at the outset 

Authorities may also wish to specify the quality of 

workmanship and the degree of maturity of new 

landscaping that they will adopt. 


LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE 

PRINCIPLE 3.4 

Stonegate Place is a recently developed infill 

development in the heart of the village of Wye. 

Formerly an egg packing yard, the site is small and 

compact, bounded by the village on all sides. 

3.4.1 maintainance in action 

3.4.1 It is important that all relevant Local Authority 

interests should be involved in these decisions and that an 

holistic view is taken as to how a scheme should be designed 

and managed. Options for maintenance could include: 

• adoption by the Highway Authority under the 

Highways Act 

• adoption by the Local Authority under the Public 

Open Spaces Act 

• maintenance by the Highway or Local Authority under 

a commuted sums arrangement 

• maintenance carried out separately by a Bonded 

Management Company 

• maintenance carried out separately by residents 

through special arrangement. 

3.4.2 Where it is agreed at the outset that the Highway 

Authority will adopt additional areas not strictly required 

for highway use (for example landscaped areas between 

carriageway and footway) then commuted sums should 

be sought for long-term maintenance. 

3.4.3 In cases where larger or phased developments are 

planned, agreement should be reached at an early stage 

between the developer, the Local Authority and the 

Highway Authority on the surface materials to be used on 

the adopted road network. A ‘system’ or logic should be 

agreed whereby roads with different characteristics may 

have surface finishes which reflect their attributes or 

functions. For example, car dominated roads may have a 

simple tarmac finish but other roads, depending on their 

usage and relationship to frontages, may be finished in 

materials that enhance the quality of the environment and 

public realm. The agreed strategy can then be applied 

throughout the phasing of the development with the 

confidence that it will be maintained with quality materials 

in the long term. 

3.4.4 All maintenance arrangements should be long-term. 

Where maintenance is carried out by bodies other than 

the Local Authority, then the Authority should be 

consulted on how specific areas are to be maintained. 

Problem: To provide and maintain formal landscaping 

that would be appropriate for a small high-quality site. 

The system of maintenance was an important factor, 

as the Local Authority would be unlikely to be able to 

provide the high level of maintenance required. 

Solution: A management company carries out the 

maintenance on behalf of residents. Residents 

contribute on an annual basis, and have the benefit 

of very well maintained grounds, with the option of 

having private courtyards maintained and benefits 

such as rubbish disposal and other minor works, by 

agreement. 

Principle 3.5: Consultation over the maintenance and 

function of key areas should be undertaken with the 

local community (if appropriate) 

3.5.1 The local community should be involved in the 

long-term maintenance of certain key areas such as 

woodland, nature reserves and ponds. Consultation 

would help generate interest, a sense of stewardship and 

could include a special agreement whereby the 

community maintains the area. The needs of the new 

community should also be considered during the postoccupation 

period. 


ASHFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL - PUBLIC OPEN SPACE 

ADOPTION PROCEDURE 

The Environmental Health and Leisure Services 

Department of Ashford Borough Council offers clear 

and concise advice on the procedure for Public Open 

Space (POS) adoption under a ‘Section 9 Agreement’. 

Section 9 of the Public Open Space Act 1906 provides 

that a Local Authority may acquire land for open 

space which it will then adopt and maintain for the 

purpose of local amenity. Local Authorities generally 

expect developers to apportion 10% of a site for POS 

as part of a planning agreement. 

For many developers the formal procedures relating 

to the handing over of POS can be complex and 

Kentlife cycle 



31

daunting. Ashford Borough Council provides a 

simple A4 sized leaflet to assist developers in 

understanding the process. The advantage of the 

leaflet is that it gives simple and clear guidance on a 

complex subject in a concise format. 

Advice relates to general information on adoption 

procedures, guidance on Section 9 Agreements and 

a list of contacts for further advice. The key part of 

the advice given is in the form of a flow chart that 

clearly sets out the sequence of the adoption 

process from the receipt of planning application 

stage to final hand over. 

The flow chart also identifies areas where time 

restrictions and financial requirements come into 

play, so that developers may be warned of these 

implications at an early stage. 

Kentlife cycle 

32 


LIFE CYCLE 

• Has the long-term sustainability of the 

development been considered? 

• Does every area within the site have a 

designated function? 

• Have all amenity areas been designated a 

specific function? 

• Are there any areas left without a clear 

function? 

• Has consultation on open space needs 

been carried out and if so with whom? 

• Will the open space provision meet local 

needs in the long term? 

• Which method or methods of long term 

maintenance (and funding) have been 

agreed? 


Bringing together uses in a 

manner which reduces the 

need to travel and 

promotes methods of 

movement that can 

improve the quality of life 

and reduce pollution 

land-use 



mixed-use 




4 

Bring together residential, commercial, retail and community uses in 

a manner that reduces the need to travel and improves quality of life 

Principle 4.1: Proposals should incorporate the 

principles of mixed-use development including the 

provision of conveniently located community 

infrastructure 

4.1.1 Single-use developments can produce unfriendly 

and unsafe environments. The Urban Villages Forum 1 has 

observed that community development is inhibited in 

such environments because the place where people live is 

not where they shop or work. As a result, these 

developments can be deserted at certain times of the day 

and are dominated by car use due to the distance 

between facilities. This lack of social interaction can 

create hostile environments for pedestrians and has a 

potentially negative effect on community safety. 

within an urban context the issue may be whether 

existing and proposed uses compliment each other to 

create a good mix of uses. Such incremental 

developments can also help to improve the quality of life 

within areas by introducing positive features to the 

environment and by revitalising a declining area. 

4.1.4 The concept of mixed-use can apply to villages as 

well as urban development. For example, a new 

development within a village may include the provision of 

facilities that will reduce the need for residents to travel. 

4.1.5 While it is acknowledged that that there will 

inevitably be commuting to and from mixed-use 

developments, providing employment and other facilities 

close to where people live increases their choice now or 

in the future. 

mixed-use 

34 

4.1.1 mixed-use neighbourhood 

4.1.2 The success and vibrancy of historic centres lies in 

part in their cultural associations, their ‘walkability’ and the 

fact that they provide attractive living and working 

environments where people are prepared to trade-off 

some disturbance in exchange for the range of activities and 

quality of life on offer. The Urban Villages Forum believes 

that it should be possible to create some of these attributes 

within new developments by promoting the concept of 

urban villages. The key features of an urban village are: 

• a mix of uses (shops, leisure, community, commercial 

and residential) 

• a variety of tenures (freehold and rented sector) to 

meet the needs of different parts of the community 

• comparatively high densities 

• a strong sense of place 

• ‘walkability’ 

• a high degree of community involvement 

• vitality 

4.1.3 The principles of mixed-use developments can 

apply to towns, neighbourhoods, streets or single 

buildings and to small as well as large schemes. 

Developments should take into account the context 

within which they are to take place. For example, in a 

major greenfield scheme it may be necessary to include a 

wide range of different uses in order that the 

development can be self-sustaining. On smaller sites 

4.1. multi-purpose ‘Christ Church Centre’ in Tunbridge wells 

(Grayston Alan & Durtnell) 

4.1.6 Good urban design that seeks to promote or create 

local distinctiveness and a sense of identity is an important 

component of mixed-use developments. Finely grained 

developments, built close to street frontages, enhance 

the streetscape and offer a greater sense of urban vitality 

and security. Carefully designed public spaces, streets, 

parks and pedestrian routes are also identified by the 

Urban Villages Forum as important components. Vibrancy 

within the central core of a mixed-use development may 

be promoted by providing for a range of leisure, 

education, informal café and restaurant facilities. 

4.1.7 The more conspicuous components of townscape 

such as shops, offices and public buildings, and the spaces 

around them, can help define the character of a 

development. 

4.1.8 The quality of the public realm is very important. 

Blank frontages are unattractive to pedestrians and may 



deter walking. Areas should have their own character and 

sense of place. 

4.1.9 Mixed-use developments do need to be carefully 

planned. While some people may wish to live within a 

busy central area others may want more tranquil 

surroundings. It should be possible to offer this choice 

through appropriate segregation of uses and by 

incorporating environmental safeguards. Providing a 

convenient network of public transport, footpaths and 

cycleways should ensure that facilities are capable of 

being reasonably accessible to one another without 

impacting adversely on each other. 

C A S E S T U D I E S 

PRINCIPLE 4.1 

4.1.10 It will be important to ensure that any transport 

infrastructure complements the objectives of the mixed-use 

development. Ensuring appropriate access and servicing 

arrangements, minimising the need to travel, promoting 

public transport and creating a safe environment for 

pedestrians and cyclists must all be addressed (see 

Objectives 5 and 7 on Movement and Safety). This will be 

particularly important where uses which historically may 

have had different design approaches now need to be 

addressed with a joint solution. 

4.1.11 While developers used to promoting single-use 

developments may perceive additional risks in engaging in 

mixed-use developments, such risks may be reduced by 

forging links with commercial or other developers to share 

expertise. In the policy framework provided by 

Government (see Policy section), mixed-use 

developments are being given much greater emphasis and 

developers will be obliged to reflect this in their proposals. 

4.1.12 There are an increasing number of examples of 

mixed-use developments which have been commercially 

successful (see case studies below). The potential benefit 

to developers of promoting mixed-use developments is 

the ability to offer customers greater choice. The 

publication, ‘Making Places’ 2 , recommends that the 

promotion of an urban village should be carried out by a 

development management team. It suggests that such 

teams need skills in the following areas: 

• acquisition/site disposal 

• planning 

• infrastructure assessment 

• design 

• developer and contract selection 

4.1 Brindley Place (Birmingham City Council) 

BRINDLEY PLACE 

Brindley Place in Birmingham is a predominantly 

commercial development with residential and leisure 

elements which include an art gallery, restaurant 

quarter around the canal and an aquarium. A 

masterplan was prepared which dealt with the 

hierarchy of spaces, pedestrian movement, massing, 

views and gateways. An urban design brief was 

prepared for different areas but still provided scope 

for individual architectural design. The project was 

characterised by regular liaison between the 

promoters and the local authority. 

WHITEFRIARS 

The proposed redevelopment of the Whitefriars area 

in Canterbury includes a range of uses with a focus 

on retailing. A major new department store will be 

its centrepiece but a number of community facilities 

are being provided, most notably a new church and 

prestigious library. The development will also include 

residential accommodation. The development will 

have a compact urban grain where buildings are of 

individual character linked by a network of pedestrian 

streets. The originally proposed number of parking 

spaces was later reduced in favour of a park and ride 

public transport facility. 

4.1 Whitefriars (Canterbury City Council) 

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35

WEST SILVERTOWN 

West Silvertown in London Docklands is an urban 

regeneration scheme in which a range of houses and 

flats in different price bands and tenures has been 

provided along with community infrastructure, such 

as open spaces and schools. The development is also 

within walking distance of a Docklands Light Railway 

Station. A pedestrian footbridge over the dock links 

the development to public transport connections. 

Principle 4.2: Masterplans and development briefs 

should consider the mix and disposition of uses 

between and within developments and how these uses 

will be delivered 

4.2.1 In order to promote mixed-use developments it is 

envisaged that the local authority or a developer would 

set down, in a masterplan or development brief, the type 

of uses and infrastructure requirements for a site. 

Masterplans tend to be used for major development 

projects that are likely to take place over a longer period 

and therefore need to have an element of flexibility. 

Masterplans should include information on: 

• land use proposals 

• public facility proposals 

• transportation and circulation connections 

• public space routes and places 

• sub area divisions 

• flagship projects. 

Further information on masterplans can be found in 

‘Making Places’ 2 . 


36 

4.1 West Silvertown (Wimpey Homes) 

GREENHITHE RIVERSIDE DEVELOPMENT (INGRESS ABBEY) 

This development draws on the principles of the 

urban village concept namely by promoting: 

• a mixed-use centre 

• a mix of dwelling types 

• easy access to public transport 

• a compact and permeable streetscape with 

walkable neighbourhoods 

• an emphasis upon the public realm. 

The development creates a new parkland setting for 

the Grade II listed Abbey and acts as a focus for 

visual and physical links towards the waterfront and 

the residential areas. The land use plan shows the 

arrangements for development including layouts and 

accompanying elevations that show typical 

development form and architecture. 

4.1 Greenhithe Riverfront (Crest Strategic Projects) 

4.2. Singleton village centre 

4.2.2 Development briefs address more detailed 

considerations such as design opportunities, ground 

conditions, built form, public realm, indicative site layout, 

and the possible location of key infrastructure. More 

detail on development briefs is given under Objective 1 

on ‘Collaboration’. Urban design codes are a further 

refinement and include advice on the public realm and 

building design, type, massing and materials. 

4.2.3 At the planning application stage it may be 

appropriate for the Local Authority to enter into an 

agreement with the developer to ensure that all 

necessary elements are provided. These elements might 

include; transport arrangements; number, tenure and size 

of units; open spaces for amenity recreation and play; 

shops, pubs, community halls and schools; leisure and 

other such services. Covenants may be appropriate to 

safeguard the long-term appearance and function of an 

urban village by, for example, requiring the maintenance 

of gardens and property, preventing alterations or 

restricting the display of signs. 


4.2.4 It is important that key facilities such as schools and 

shops are in place at an early stage of development to 

encourage patronage and allow people’s needs to be met 

without having far to travel. It is also important to address 

how new development dovetails into an existing area, for 

example, in terms of transport connections. 

Principle 4.3: The community should be included at an 

appropriate stage in the design process to ensure their 

input into the chosen mix of uses 

4.3.1 To avoid potential conflicts and to reflect local 

priorities, it is important to identify and involve those 

groups and individuals affected by a proposed 

development. Issues concerning the mix of uses, 

construction phases and potential impacts in use may need 

to be discussed. This public participation process might 

include meetings, exhibitions or ‘planning for real’ days. 

being that new development does not give rise to 

nuisance. Bringing different uses together can cause 

tension between occupiers unless adequate safeguards 

are built in during the design process. Nuisance late at 

night may often be associated with leisure activities such 

as nightclubs, pubs and restaurants. Noise from 

commercial vehicles or equipment may also cause 

nuisance to residential occupiers. 

Principle 4.4: Good pedestrian and cycling routes 

should be provided 

4.4.1 Successful mixed-use developments depend on the 

principle of walkable neighbourhoods incorporating 

networks of through pedestrian routes. It is important to 

ensure that any such thoroughfares are carefully designed 

to minimise the risk of criminal behaviour. This may be 

achieved by ensuring that footpaths are overlooked and 

have good visibility. The Police Architectural Liaison 

Officer should be consulted to identify the best approach 

(see also objective 5). 

4.4. walkable neighbourhood 

4.4.2 Pedestrian and cycling shortcuts should be provided 

to give convenient access to a range of facilities. People 

will be encouraged to use footpaths or cycle routes if they 

are more direct than the equivalent vehicular route. 

Public transport facilities should link neighbourhoods and 

provide convenient access to other local centres. 

Accessibility between uses is the key. It is important to 

ensure that new transport infrastructure does not sever 

existing cycle or pedestrian routes. 

Principle 4.5: Mixed-use developments should address 

the need to protect the amenity of a variety of 

occupiers. 

4.5.1 It is important to recognise and identify the 

potential conflicts that may arise in mixed-use 

developments and resolve them by careful design. It is 

also important in the interests of health and social well 

4.5.1 protection of amenity 

4.5.2 Separation of activities may be the most effective 

means of avoiding nuisance. Potentially noisy leisure uses 

should be located well away from residential elements of a 

scheme and noise attenuation measures should be included. 

Measures to deal with smells may need to be incorporated 

(see Objective 8). Neutral buffer activities or space may 

help to separate certain uses from others. Boundary 

features such as walls, fences and planting, together with the 

sensitive design of entrances and access points, may help to 

minimise disturbance. Controls over hours-of-use, security 

lighting and other management arrangements may also 

reduce the potential risk of nuisance. 


4.5.3 Vehicular routes should be designed to minimise 

noise impacts on residential or other sensitive properties. 

Consideration should be given to the type of road surfacing 

used in order to reduce noise generated by vehicles (for 

example, porous asphalt). Traffic speed can also have a 

bearing on noise nuisance and speed restraint measures 

referred to in Objective 7 on Safety may help to address 

this issue. Careful design of servicing arrangements and the 

separation of access points may help to avoid conflicts. 

4.5.4 Consultation with the police and the local 

community should help to highlight potential areas of 

conflict and identify the necessary safeguards. 

4.5.5 Where uses are intended to be restricted to certain 

categories of activities, for example, B1 Business Use, to 

minimise the risk of conflict, it will be important to make 

potential occupiers aware of these limitations so that 

nuisance activity is not introduced. Including information 

on planning consents could facilitate this. 

4.5.6 It should be recognised that there may be 

circumstances under which conflicts of use cannot be 

resolved and proposals may need to be amended 

accordingly. Retrospective action under Environmental 

Health legislation is unlikely to be an adequate substitute 



37


38 

for careful design. In Environmental Health terms, the 

defence of ‘Best Practical Means’ limits the ability of 

occupiers to fully achieve a resolution of conflicts. 

Principle 4.6: Proposals should clarify funding, delivery 

and management arrangements for each component 

of a scheme 

4.6.1 Negotiations between the Local Authority and 

developers should identify when different facilities will be 

needed. The applicant should then be able to calculate the 

development costs and prepare cash-flow appraisals that 

take into account forecast yields to reveal how a 

development is to be phased and the different elements 

brought forward. Viability testing may be required in 

order to ensure the correct balance and phasing of uses 3 . 

Where significant viability issues emerge it may be 

necessary to identify alternative sources of funding in 

order to deliver a holistic scheme. This funding might 

include loan guarantees, land reclamation grants, and 

other Government regeneration funding. 

4.6.2 There may be difficulties where several developers 

are involved and they perceive disadvantages in a 

particular use ascribed to their land. It should be possible 

to ensure that incremental developments do not take 

place without a commitment to bring forward the 

community elements of a scheme such as open space. 

This will enable developers to negotiate with each other, 

recognising the inter-dependence of the different 

elements of the scheme. 

4.6.3 The Urban Villages movement has promoted the 

concept of Community Trusts. These are bodies elected 

from the local community to sustain the character of a 

development in the long-term and to take guardianship of 

any communal areas or facilities. They may need to be 

given an initial cash injection by the developer and 

empowered to raise a service charge from occupiers. A 

Trust is able to respond to the specific needs of a new or 

expanding community and to nurture its development. 

4.6.4 Buildings may be occupied in a variety of different 

ways over their life. The most successful buildings are 

those that can be readily adapted. 


PRINCIPLE 4.6 

HULME REGENERATION LTD. 

This was a joint venture company, limited by 

guarantee, set up by Manchester City Council and 

AMEC plc to manage the Hulme City Challenge 

initiative. With joint chairmen, one from each 

partner, this company has driven the process of 

planning, developing and refurbishing 3000 homes, a 

new shopping street, business accommodation and 

community facilities. Hulme Regeneration Ltd 

formulated the initial mixed-use concept and worked 

with the local community to prepare a masterplan 

and design guide. The company managed the 

implementation programme including procuring 

major infrastructure projects, the selection of private 

developers and Housing Associations for each 

project and securing the necessary gap funding from 

English Partnerships and other public sector sources. 

It was managed by an on-site executive team, which 

reported to a board of directors. 

CROWN STREET REGENERATION PARTNERSHIP, GLASGOW. 

Crown Street Regeneration Partnership, Glasgow. 

The Crown Street Regeneration Project was initially 

conceived by the pubic sector. A partnership was 

formed to bring together the expertise and assets of 

the Glasgow Development Agency (GDA), Glasgow 

City Council, Scottish Homes and the local 

community. The partners, acting as a Steering 

Committee, have adopted a model based on 

informality rather than complex legal structures. 

Various teams of consultants work under the 

leadership of a Project Director. The GDA initially 

met the costs of promoting the project and 

environmental involvement costs whilst the City 

Council invested its land holdings in the scheme. 

Private developers compete for the opportunity to 

develop the housing and commercial facilities on the 

basis of fixed land price, detailed design and 

development briefs. The first phase included 217 

homes for sale and 71 homes for rent; a 

supermarket, and five shops. A derelict church was 

brought back into use and substantial environmental 

improvements were made. Together, these 

investments were sufficient to establish Crown 

Street as a new mixed-use urban quarter. 

Source ‘Making Places’ English Partnership and Urban Village Forum 

NEW ASH GREEN 

New Ash Green near Sevenoaks has many mixed-use 

characteristics. While there are only limited 

employment opportunities within the village, it does 

have a number of facilities that give it an element of 

self-containment. These include a central shopping 

area, a community hall and a network of open spaces 

and schools. The village has a vibrant centre. One of 

the distinguishing characteristics of the village is the 

community management structure that was established 

at the outset. This includes a Village Association that 

manages all the communal land and enforces restrictive 

covenants to preserve the integrity of the design 

elements and Residents Societies who manage the 

administration of each of the 24 neighbourhoods. 

There is a hierarchy of decision-making and 

responsibilities divided between the different parts of 

the management structure. Residents make financial 

contributions to the management of the village and 

their neighbourhoods, which gives some autonomy to 

respond to local environmental priorities. The structure 

does however require a considerable commitment and 

expertise on the part of local residents and the 

contributions (to Village Association and Residents 

Societies) are in addition to local authority rates. 


REFERENCES: 

1 Urban Villages, The Urban Villages Forum, 1992 

2 Making Places - A Guide to Good Practice in Undertaking Mixed-Use 

Development schemes, English Partnerships/Urban Village Forum, 1998 

3 The Economics of Urban Villages, The Urban Villages Forum, 1995 


MIXED USE 

• Do components of the scheme embrace 

“urban village” principles, such as 

quality, walkability and density? 

• Does the scheme complement existing 

uses? 

• Have measures been taken to reduce the 

risk of nuisance? 

• Is supporting community infrastructure 

proposed? 

• Is a construction and phasing strategy 

proposed? 

• Has a masterplan been prepared? 

• Has a development brief been prepared? 

• Are facilities readily accessible by foot, 

cycle or public transport? 

• Is the design of buildings robust? 




39



movement 




5 

Promote the movement of people by walking, cycling and public 

transport to reduce car dependency and maintain and improve air quality 

PUBLIC TRANSPORT 

Principle 5.1: Viable public transport should be 

provided at the initial phase of a new development 

5.1.1 It is key to sustainability that public transport 

elements should be provided at the outset, before a 

development comes on stream, otherwise the car 

transport ethic will become ingrained and habits will be 

hard to change. Public transport may consist of buses, 

trains or rapid light rail transit, but negotiations must be 

made at an early stage to ensure that services are 

subsidised until they become viable. Developers may be 

required to provide pump-priming funds and ongoing 

revenue support. Sponsorship or partnership agreements 

with local bus companies may also be appropriate. (See also 

‘Planning for Public Transport in Developments’ - I.H.T. 1 ). 

should be provided initially. Thought should be given to 

providing a bus ‘waiting area’ in the centre of 

developments. Bus stops should be of a high quality and 

well sign-posted with good information boards and 

waiting areas should have raised kerbs so that access to 

the bus is at footway level. Bus shelters should be 

appropriately lit and have seating. 

movement 

42 


KENT THAMES-SIDE - 

LOOKING TO AN INTEGRATED FUTURE 

PRINCIPLE 5.1 

5.1 integrated transport in Kent Thames-side (David Lock Associates) 

Kent Thames-side is an association that brings 

together Dartford & Gravesham Borough Councils, 

Kent County Council, Whitecliff Properties and 

University of Greenwich. Although a separate 

organisation, Kent Thames-side employs no staff 

directly, but staff from each body meet regularly and 

work together on specific issues and projects to help 

progress the regeneration of the area. Together the 

group is promoting a ‘Vision’ for Kent Thames-side 

which takes the discouragement of unnecessary caruse 

as one of its fundamental principles. Priority is to 

be given to walking and cycling for short trips through 

the use of a network of safe and convenient routes, 

but for longer trips a good quality high capacity local 

transport system is envisaged. This system would link 

all the key areas within Kent Thames-side, and also 

run along corridors that are designed to be accessible 

to as many homes as possible, thus encouraging 

maximum take-up with residents. 

Principle 5.2: Public transport should be brought into 

the heart of the development where appropriate 

5.2.1 New developments should be designed so that 

residents can easily access public transport. Residents 

should not have to walk further than 400m to reach a bus 

stop, and information signing to guide residents to stops 

5.2.1 centralised public transport (David Lock Associates) 

5.2.2 Where appropriate, bus priority measures should 

also be built into developments. These could include bus 

lanes, bus gates and traffic signal priority. Other priority 

measures could consist of bus boarders or built out kerbs 

that block the road for cars when the bus is present. Care 

must be taken to ensure that other speed restraint 

features on their routes do not compromise buses. In 

some cases it may be applicable to have dedicated bus 

lanes or bus-only routes. 


GREENHITHE WATERFRONT 

PRINCIPLE 5.2 

The Crest development at Greenhithe Waterfront 

will be a predominately residential development of 

up to 950 houses supported by local amenities such 

as nursery and primary education and local retail and 

community facilities. This brownfield site was 

formerly home to both the Empire Mill and Dartford 

Merchant Navy College and includes the recently 

restored Ingress Abbey. 

The development is planned along sustainable lines 

in accordance with the ‘Vision’ for Kent Thamesside. 

Accordingly the Masterplan allows for good 

access by the high quality bus transport known as 

‘Fastrack’. The planned Fastrack route runs through 



the site from east to west providing a regular and 

frequent service to all parts of Thames-side. In order 

to limit intrusion from through car traffic, the route 

will be controlled by bus-only gates at either end of 

the development. Housing has been planned to be in 

easy walking distance of the new route in order to 

encourage its use at the outset. The Fastrack route 

is designed specifically to cater for the bus service, 

with high quality bus stops and travel information. 

Principle 5.3: Developers and/or commercial 

enterprise should submit green commuter plans for 

larger sites 

5.3.1 Green commuter plans are designed to reduce 

peak time car travel. They may include anything from the 

provision of cycle racks to the sponsorship of a shuttle bus 

for commuters who work on larger commercial 

developments. Cycle routes that link various commercial 

premises with key areas of the remainder of the 

development should be included in the green commuter 

plan brief. It will also be a requirement to ensure that 

companies have appropriate cycle storage as well as 

changing and showering facilities to augment cycling to 

work. ‘Green Travel’ plans are more comprehensive 

methods of reducing work-related car travel. They may 

include a range of ‘travel to work’ alternatives to the 

private car and include IT systems for home working and 

tele-conferencing. Guidance on the setting up of Green 

Travel plans is available through the local authority Local 

Agenda 21 initiatives. 

5.3 green commuting (Kent Thames-side) 


GREATER MANCHESTER GREEN TRANSPORT PLANS 

PRINCIPLE 5.3 

A comprehensive guide to the setting up of green 

travel plans has been produced through a 

partnership of interested bodies within the Greater 

Manchester area. Participating bodies include local 

authorities, health authorities, rail and bus 

companies. Targeted at businesses in the Greater 

Manchester area, the guide points out the benefits in 

terms of reduced costs and improved public health. 

The guide runs through the process from the 

explanatory introduction to the ‘what to do’ and the 

‘how to do’ which includes gathering information on 

public attitudes through surveys and travel 

questionnaires. A ‘toolkit’ approach to measures is 

suggested and participants are invited to consider 

which techniques would be the most appropriate for 

their company. Measures are wide ranging and 

include simple ideas like local signing for a hospital, 

to the introduction of a subsidised commuter bus 

and van-sharing initiatives for Manchester Airport. 

STEPPING HILL HOSPITAL AND STOCKPORT 

METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL 

Both organisations operate a car-sharing database to 

match potential sharers. The Hospital provides 

guaranteed parking spaces for car-sharers. 

WIGAN INFIRMARY 

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council is investigating 

lighting, crossings and other safety features along a 

route regularly used to travel to the infirmary, with a 

view to implementing improvements and making 

walking a safe and attractive option. 

Principle 5.4: Linked bus and train timetables and 

through-ticketing should be promoted 

5.4.1 Local authorities and public transport operators 

should explore the possibility of integrating transport so 

that railways and bus services are linked together by 

compatible timetables and have through-ticketing facilities. 


CHARTWELL EXPLORER LEISURE BUS SERVICE 

PRINCIPLE 5.4 

A through ticketing project has been set up to 

encourage the use of public transport to and from 

Kentish tourist attractions and London. Partners in 

the project include; The Countryside Commission, 

Sevenoaks District Council, the National Trust, Kent 

County Council and rail and coach companies. The 

initiative allows individuals or families to buy a single 

ticket in London that covers a rail trip to local Kent 

Kentmovement 



43


44 

stations to link with bus travel to various sites near 

Sevenoaks such as Chartwell, Emmett Garden and 

Squerrys Court. The frequency of the coach service 

from the stations to attractions allows visitors to 

drop on and off during the course of the journey, to 

permit flexibility and suit convenience. The current 

project operates on weekends and bank holidays 

during the summer months. 

Principle 5.5: Highway standards for private cars 

should reflect the provision of alternative modes of 

transport (buses, cycleways and walkways) 

5.5.1 Developments that are located near to transport 

nodes and have a variety of alternative travel methods may 

have correspondingly less highway space given over to the 

private car. The principal route through such a development 

may be dedicated to buses or trams only, with more 

complex and tortuous routes provided for private cars. An 

alternative may be to design the principal route in such as 

way as to apportion the greater part of the space to buses, 

walkers and cyclists, leaving only narrow lanes for cars. Tree 

lined boulevards are an example of this, where the greatest 

part of the space is given over to pedestrians, thus 

minimising the impact of motorised vehicles. 

5.5.1 sectional bus route (David Lock Associates) 

Principle 5.6: Access provision should be appropriate 

to the size and frequency of essential vehicles 

5.6.1 Consideration must be given in new development 

to the size and type of vehicles that may need access. 

Although it is important to limit road space as far as 

possible on the grounds of sustainability and safety, it is 

still important to make adequate provision for service. 

Care is needed at the early stage of the design to ensure 

that there is a strategy for accommodating buses and 

larger vehicles on certain roads within a development, but 

keeping other parts of the road network free for a more 

flexible design approach. 

5.6.2 There will be a requirement for access by emergency 

service and refuse vehicles, but the effects in terms of road 

design can be minimised by early consultation with both 

the Fire Service and Waste collection companies. Waste 

collection points should be in easy reach of the collectors 

yet within the walking distance outlined by the Local 

Authority. These collection points are an important part of 

the overall design as careful siting can go a long way to 

minimising road space. Access widths suitable for the Fire 

Service are outlined in the highway standards table in the 

Technical Appendix. Further guidance can be found in 

‘Guidance for Providing Adequate Access for Fire 

Appliances under the County of Kent Act’ 1981 2 . 

Principle 5.7: Parking provision should be appropriate 

to locality and the availability of alternative modes of 

transport 

5.7.1 The type and amount of parking that might be 

acceptable will depend on the characteristics of the 

locality, the specific circumstances of the case and the 

design philosophy of the scheme. Parking requirements 

will differ according to the building type and its users, 

whether needs are for long or short stay, and whether 

cars or larger vehicles have to be catered for. The 

availability of alternative transport facilities will also 

influence parking requirements. 

5.7.2 It may be appropriate to limit parking in locations 

where there is easy access to public transport as well as 

walking and cycling routes. In certain areas it may even be 

practical to have car-free commercial or residential 

developments but these must be backed in the latter case 

by evidence that potential residents will not require 

parking spaces. It is essential that robust controls are in 

place on the surrounding public highway to prevent 

parking so that parking from new developments does not 

displace to these areas. An alternative may be to consider 

a pooling system where all vehicles are shared and 

garaged in an accessible and secure central location. 

5.7.3 In rural areas where public transport choice is 

limited, parking standards should reflect need. Parking 

needs should be considered on a site-specific basis in 

respect of local alternatives to car travel (see Case Study 

8.1). 

5.7.4 Where it is appropriate to provide parking this 

should be in a manner which satisfies the overriding 

objectives of the Guide, such as maximising the use of 

land; minimising car use: promoting the safety of all 

highway users; providing security and showing sensitivity 

towards the locality. 

5.7.5 The scale of road, its level and type of usage will 

influence the way parking is managed. Vehicle dominated 

roads, such as district and local distributors, are areas 

where car parking is most appropriate off-street, such as 

park and ride sites. On-street parking should be 

discouraged where speeds are high and pedestrians can 

be masked by parked vehicles. Pedestrian dominated 

streets may have a mix of parking types; on plot, rear 

parking courts or on street. On-street parking can work 

safely and successfully in pedestrian environments 

providing roads are designed to keep speeds very low. 

5.7.6 Within curtilage parking is traditional and popular, but 

can be detrimental to the appearance and character of the 

neighbourhood and numbers of vehicles can be hard to 

control. Shared parking offers advantages in terms of 

providing a more flexible and discrete design but it can raise 

concerns about security. These could, however, be 

addressed in a number of ways, such as ensuring that 

parking areas are overlooked and well lit (see Principle 7. 3). 


5.7.7 SERPLAN is in the process of developing parking 

strategies that seek to allow for different parking policies 

to be pursued within the priority areas for economic 

regeneration as compared to areas of economic 

pressure 3 . (See also: Draft PPG 13 - Transport 1999 4 .) 

- DETR 6 ; and Reducing Mobility Handicaps - IHT 7 . 


STATION ROAD, CANTERBURY 

PRINCIPLE 5.7 

This was a brownfield site close to a railway station 

and Canterbury city centre. It comprised a bus 

depot, repair works and goods yard. In 1991 

Canterbury City Council prepared a development 

brief which sought a contemporary solution that 

respected the Canterbury streetscape and would 

encourage people to live in the town. 

The brief was not prescriptive about the numbers of 

units that should be achieved, but the city council 

was keen to avoid a suburban and highway 

dominated solution. The progress of the scheme 

was characterised by close collaborative working 

between the City Council’s Planners and Transport 

Engineers. The City Council and developers also 

engaged in regular dialogue. 

The scheme has achieved a density of nearly 27 units 

per acre by focusing on terraced properties and limiting 

parking provision to 1 space per unit and in some cases 

providing no spaces at all. Parking is provided within a 

secure communal area at the rear of properties. No onstreet 

parking is allowed and visitors can park in nearby 

City Centre car parks. While the appearance of the 

dwellings is more traditional than contemporary, the 

innovative aspect of this scheme relates to the radical 

approach taken to parking standards well in advance of 

the emerging national trend. It also demonstrates the 

turning of a brownfield site into a successful scheme in 

market terms. The scheme demonstrates that quality 

and collaboration are important components in 

achieving successful brownfield development. 

WALKING AND CYCLING 

Principle 5.8: Developments should be readily 

permeable allowing safe, direct routes for 

pedestrians, cyclists and the mobility impaired. 

5.8.1 Suitable routes that link key areas both within and 

around new developments should be considered at the 

outset so that residents are encouraged to use them 

instead of the car. Walking and cycling are sustainable and 

healthy ways of travelling over short distances, but often 

suffer as a result of weather, culture, topography, fears for 

personal safety and lack of appropriate storage. Safety is 

enhanced generally by increasing the number of walkers 

and cyclists in an area, and children will benefit from having 

the freedom to use routes segregated from motorised 

traffic. People with disabilities will also benefit from routes 

that provide direct links to and from services, and that 

have a smooth and well-maintained surface. For further 

information see: Highways Suitable for the Mobility 

Impaired - KCC 5 ; Guidance on the Use of Tactile Surfaces 

5.8.1 pedestrian and cycling paths in Kings Hill 

5.8.2 Direct routes through developments should be 

provided for walkers and cyclists. These may either be 

segregated or combined, whichever is most appropriate 

to their context and likely usage, but must be ‘userfriendly’. 

They should not be too far removed from 

surveillance and should not be hidden from roads or 

houses by earth mounds or heavy landscaping. They 

should have appropriate lighting unless they are a part of 

a small, unlit development. Walking and cycling should be 

promoted as a dominant mode of travel for short trips, so 

these routes should be more direct than those for cars. 

Strategic foot and cycleways should be well lit to 

encourage use, unless they are primarily for leisure use 

where night time use is unlikely, or in rural surroundings 

where lighting would be inappropriate. 

The following documents give further guidance: ‘The 

National Cycle Network Guidelines and Practical Details’ 

- Sustrans 8 ; ‘Cycle Friendly Infrastructure’ - DoT 9 ; 

‘London Cycle Network Design Manual’ 10 ; ‘Guidelines for 

Cycle Audit & Review’ - IHT 11 . 


ST. MARY’S ISLAND, GILLINGHAM 

PRINCIPLE 5.8 

St Mary’s Island is a development of 1600 dwellings on 

ex. Ministry of Defence land in the Medway Estuary . 

The island is important for wildlife and is being 

designed to enhance this aspect by the provision of a 

wide area of parkland that runs across the island. As 

well as housing there are plans for a community centre 

with shops and a school. Good pedestrian access to a 

newly created riverside walk has been provided. 

Problem: The location of the island predicates a high 

level of car dependency. The original design 




45

suggested a principal route for traffic in the form of a 

long loop road around the perimeter of the island, a 

design which would be likely to lead to unacceptably 

high speeds. The problem was how to encourage 

greater cycle and pedestrian use for short journeys 

within the island site. 


PRIORITY MEASURES ON CANTERBURY CYCLE ROUTES 

PRINCIPLE 5.9 

The walled city of Canterbury with its well-defined 

core and its self-contained network of medieval 

streets, lends itself to cycling as distances are not 

excessive and the town centre is largely 

pedestrianised and lightly trafficked. Canterbury has 

a large number of students and cycling is a popular 

form of transport both in and around the city. 


46 

5.8 St. Mary’s Island (Countryside Maritime) 

Solution: In order to prevent speeding the loop was 

made more circuitous and cut at its mid point with a 

‘bus only’ gate. A system of direct links for walkers 

and cyclists has been formed to cross the island, thus 

providing off-road routes to the community centre, 

and to local bus stops. Cycle use is encouraged by a 

wide segregated footpath and cycleway that links 

through to the mainland and round the island. 

Cyclists are given priority at side road junctions by 

running a raised route across the junctions, and by 

bypassing roundabouts and other speed restraint 

features, in order to provide safe, direct routes. 

Principle 5.9: New infrastructure for cycling, walking 

and riding should be linked into existing networks 

5.9.1 It is important to design a strategy for walking and 

cycling that links new developments to existing 

developments. This might include existing local facilities 

such as shops or the railway station, or links to wider 

strategic networks such as national cycle routes, 

bridleways or long-distance footpath systems. Existing 

local networks may provide a useful leisure opportunity 

for walkers, cyclists and riders, and consideration should 

be given to linking these through the development. It is as 

important for developers to consider the relationship 

with the area outside of their development as it is to 

consider internal circulation. 

The ‘Walking Strategy for Kent’ 2 and ‘The Cycling 

Strategy for Kent’ 13 gives further guidance. 

5.9.1 cycle short-cut against flow of traffic (Canterbury City Council) 

Problem: Although the centre of the city has a good 

degree of traffic control and speed restraint, the ring 

road and the radial routes from university and 

colleges present a safety problem for cyclists wishing 

to travel into and out of the centre. 

Solution: Greater priority is afforded to cyclists by 

the use of two techniques, Advance Stop Lines at 

traffic signals, and Toucan Crossings. Advance Stop 

Lines give priority to cyclists using the ring road, to 

enable them to have a safe and rapid ‘getaway’ at 

traffic signals. Many conflicts occur at signalled 

junctions, as left-turning vehicles can often hit 

cyclists riding on the nearside, and right turning 

cyclists have difficulties moving across lanes of fast 

moving traffic. The Advance Cycle Stop Line allows 

cyclists to move ahead of the rest of traffic to wait in 

a clear area at the stop line. This means that they 

are then in clear view of the waiting traffic, and have 

the benefit of being in front of the queue, giving 

them more time to make manoeuvres in safety. 

The second technique is the Toucan Crossing. This is 

generally used to link the two sides of an off-road 

cycleway where it crosses a busy route. Although 

they can be used by pedestrians (thus the name; 

‘twocan’) they are chiefly designed for cyclists, as 

they have push buttons mounted at the appropriate 

height. The difference between a Toucan and other 

crossings is that at pelicans and zebras cyclists are 

required to dismount to cross, whereas toucans 

allow riders to cycle across. The timing device can 

be adjusted so that cyclists never have long to wait, 

forcing car drivers to give way to cyclists. 


Principle 5.10: Convenient cycle storage should be 

incorporated into properties and destinations. 

5.10.1 safe cycle storage facility 

5.10.1 Storage provision for cycles should be made for 

every dwelling, either in the form of additional personal 

storage space in garages, houses or other lockable 

buildings, or communally in bicycle cages. Provision for 

storage should also be made at the journey’s end, 

especially at shopping, community facilities and transport 

nodes. Cycle provision should be made at the outset even 

for buildings such as cinemas, multiplexes and DIY stores. 

REFERENCES: 

1 Planning for Public Transport in Developments, Institute of Highways & 

Transportation, 1998 

2 Fire Safety Policy Directive 15 - Guidance for Providing Adequate Access 

for Fire Appliances under the County of Kent Act, Kent & Medway Towns 

Fire Authority, 1981 

3 Towards a Parking Strategy for the South East, SERP477, 1999 

4 Revision of Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG)13 ‘Transport’ (Draft), 

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, 1999 

5 Highways Suitable for the Mobility Impaired, Kent County Council, 1999 

6 Guidance on the Use of Tactile Surfaces, Department of the Environment, 

Transport and the Regions, 1998 

7 Reducing Mobility Handicaps - Towards a Barrier Free Environment, 

Institute of Highways & Transportation, 1991 

8 The National Cycle Network Guidelines and Practical Details, 

Sustrans/Ove Arup,1997 

9 Cycle Friendly Infrastructure - Guidelines, Planning & Design, Department 

of Transport, 1996 

10 London Cycle Network Design Manual - Royal Borough of Kingston upon 

Thames, 1998 

11 Guidelines for Cycle Audit & Review, Institute of Highways & 

Transportation, 1998 

12 The Walking Strategy for Kent (Draft), Kent County Council, 1999 

13 The Cycling Strategy for Kent (Draft), Kent County Council, 1999. 


MOVEMENT 

• Has the developer made a contribution to 

public transport? 

• Has public transport been designed into 

the development proposals? 

• Has a green commuter plan been 

prepared? 

• What alternatives to trips by private car 

have been provided? 

• Have rail and bus companies been 

consulted to promote integrated 

transport? 

• Do highway standards reflect the degree 

of choice of travel alternatives? 

• Does the highway layout make provision 

for all necessary vehicles? 

• Is parking provision appropriate to the 

degree of alternative travel choice? 

• Have public transport service providers 

been consulted? 

• Does the development provide direct 

links for walkers and cyclists to local 

facilities? 

• Does provision for walkers and cyclists 

link to existing networks? 

• Has cycle storage been provided at 

properties or travel nodes? 




47



Embracing local 

distinctiveness and 

maximising the use of land in 

order to provide attractive 

and safe environments whilst 

minimising the use of 

resources 

design 



locality 




6 

Embrace local distinctiveness, promote quality and protect existing 

features of cultural, visual and historical importance 

Principle 6.1: New development should embrace good 

contextual design principles 

6.1.1 ‘Design’ covers a range of factors that mould the 

interaction of people with buildings and the spaces that 

connect them. The term ‘urban design’ should be 

interpreted not just in the context of towns or cities but 

in any place where people interact with buildings and 

their landscape, from single buildings in villages to major 

development in large cities. It is about creating successful 

places that work well for those using them. Development 

is never too small to be considered in design terms. It is 

often the cumulative effects of domestic extensions, 

single dwellings and alterations, rather than major new 

buildings, which impact on people’s perception of a place. 

However, even within Kent’s diverse pattern and scale of 

development, whether it be coastal town, wooded rural 

location, traditional market town or more recent dormitory 

suburb, there are some common considerations which 

should be evaluated in an appraisal of any site. Quality in 

design reaches beyond transitory taste and fashion. 

locality 

50 

6.1 SAGA Headquarters, Folkestone, Michael Hopkins and Partners 

6.1.2 Good design can generate a lively, attractive and 

well-used environment; it can also bring significant 

economic benefits. Both the Government and developers 

are beginning to recognise this, and greater time, 

resources and advice are being invested in urban design. 

English Partnerships 1 have observed that in lean economic 

times it is the better quality, well designed buildings which 

survive (this document also includes more detailed 

guidance on design issues). Local authorities have a key 

role in promoting this locally - PPG 1; for example, states 

that planning authorities can require that a proposal is 

accompanied by a design statement. Many local 

authorities are producing their own design strategies 2 . 

6.1.3 The government is keen to ensure that urban design 

objectives become core elements of planning decisions 

and local planning policy. Successful new development is 

based on making a balanced judgement between all of the 

factors at play e.g. local context and character; transport 

and movement and balancing the needs of shopping, 

business and housing. Development that has proved less 

successful has often been overpowered by a single 

element, such as the provision for cars through road 

networks that have disregarded local character or context 3 

(see also Technical Appendices Section 2). 

6.1.4 No single template can be drawn to achieve good 

urban design: the optimum solution is unique to each site. 

6.1.5 Site Appraisal 

6.1.4 site appraisal factors 

Level and lie of the land - 

What views are generated from and of the site? 

What is the approach to the site? 

What forms the sky-line? 

What is the nature of the open spaces and how are they 

connected? 

What is the local climate? 

Are there any significant wildlife habitats? 

The built environment - 

What unusual features make the place distinctive? 

What is the relationship between the buildings 

and spaces? 

What size and shape are the plots? 

What are the boundary treatments - walls, fences, 

verges, planting? 

What are the building types and styles? 

The pattern of streets and movement - 

Are the streets narrow, wide, curved? 

Who has access - cars, pedestrians? 

How does pedestrian and vehicular traffic move through? 

What is the historic street pattern? 

Ground and surface covering - 

What is the proportion of hard surface and soft 

landscaping? 

Are surfaces rough or smooth in texture? 

What are the effects of natural daylight? 

What are the ground conditions? 4 



6.1.6 Annex A of PPG 1 5 , ‘Handling of Design Issues’, 

gives a clear policy basis for this approach, and 

recommends the preparation of a written design 

statement which should set out the design principles, 

show the proposal in its context and be accompanied by 

illustrative plans and elevations. Its degree of detail will 

depend on the scale and likely impact of the development, 

but consideration of design is applicable to development of 

any scale from house extensions to major proposals. 

6.1.7 Good planning and design is based on balancing a 

range of issues in an innovative way to optimise the final 

solution. The advice that follows is based on principles of 

good practice and the degree to which each is relevant will 

depend on the context and scale of the development. The 

advice is intended to complement the Building Regulations 

that should be adhered to for all built development. 

6.1.9 smallest details 

There are several elements which can contribute to good 

urban design 6 : 

CREATING POSITIVE PLACES 

6.1.8 New development should make a positive 

contribution to its environment, particularly if the local 

context appears tired or unwelcoming. Positive features 

of ‘local distinctiveness’ may be difficult to find, but clues 

may lie in history, landscape or deeper evaluation of the 

area. Even where there is no building, it may be worth 

researching the appearance of previous buildings to 

provide evidence of evolution in the area. These more 

challenging places and spaces often offer more 

opportunity for innovation or the potential to create a 

new identity. Landscape design should be integral to the 

proposal, and consideration should be given to the 

appropriate mix of hard and soft surfaces. Design 

competitions can often help to achieve a better quality 

and more innovative result for a new building. 

6.1.8 rich detailing at Rochester Riverside, Kent 

6.1.9 All design, from the smallest detail such as a handrail 

to a large commercial development, offers the 

opportunity to create something special. Public art can 

help to give identity and interest to a place. 

6.1.10 legibility 

LEGIBILITY 

6.1.10 Legibility describes the ‘readability’ of a place to its 

users, including the clarity of its routes and points of entry 

and exit. New development should respect the areas, 

circulation spaces and landmarks that give a sense of 

where one is within the hierarchy of the town or village. 

6.1.11 variety 

Kentlocality 

VARIETY 

6.1.11 Consideration should be given to encouraging a mix 

of uses which complement each other and which generate 

activity both during the day and the evening. Evening 

activity, whether cultural, social or retail, can transform the 



51

vitality of a place. A mix of uses may occur within a single 

building, with office accommodation providing a buffer on 

middle floors with shops below and housing above. Variety 

should also be apparent in the types of space; formal and 

informal, green and hard surfaces, private and public. 

Successful places balance the need for order and variety. 

the fine balance between variety and uniformity in a 

building or development. 

6.1.14 longevity 

6.1.12 permeability 

LONGEVITY 

6.1.14 Spaces and buildings that allow for and actively 

encourage a broad range of present and future uses will 

be more sustainable than those designed for a single 

specific use or user. Materials and components should 

also be suitable for adaptation or re-use. 

PERMEABILITY 

6.1.12 Ensure permeability by designing for a variety of 

routes that allow movement easily through a space and link 

to other spaces and routes, particularly for those on foot. 

6.1.15 visual character 


52 

6.1.13 detail 

6.1.13 details in context 

DETAIL 

6.1.13 A richness of design and texture can be achieved 

through careful detailing and use of materials, and through 

VISUAL CHARACTER 

6.1.15 Consideration should be given to the appearance 

of a development or an individual building in relation to its 

neighbours, and within its own components (for example, 

the scale and prominence of a garage should not give it 

greater visual priority than the house). 

6.1.16 individuality 

INDIVIDUALITY 

6.1.16 There should be sufficient flexibility to allow those 

living and working in a place to make their mark both on 

their identifiable private space, and collectively over the 

function and appearance of public space, but within the 

overall character of the development and neighbouring area. 


Principle 6.2: New development should express the 

distinctive quality of the natural topography, existing 

landscape and built character of the site 

CAPACITY 

6.2.5 What is the acceptable capacity that the landscape 

can absorb? The layout of development set in valleys, hills 

or woodland should carefully consider its interplay with the 

topography and vegetation. Consideration must also be 

given to whether the location can cope with the scale of 

road required to serve the size of development proposed. 

6.2.1 impact 

IMPACT 

6.2.1 Any new development should respond to the 

context in which it is set. Distinctly urban or rural 

environments may be easier to evaluate than those which 

are on an urban fringe or which must take account of their 

impact on both urban and rural environments. 

Development on the edge of a town or village may be 

visually important to the view upon entering that place. Its 

impact on the skyline should also be considered, 

particularly in the countryside. Towns and villages are 

often characterised by their skylines. 

HIERARCHY OF URBAN SPACE 

6.2.6 The hierarchy of form of even the smallest village 

traditionally offers the visitor a sense of arrival. It is often 

marked by an increase in the density and height of 

buildings towards the centre with civic buildings or a 

church and a public space such as a civic square or village 

green. There may be areas within the town or village that 

have a distinctiveness of their own. Developments that 

are monotonous in their layout do not engender such a 

sense of place or nurture community spirit. 

PUBLIC / PRIVATE SPACE 

6.2.7 New development should allow an appropriate 

degree of private and public space around the property. 

Developments in villages and towns have traditionally 

been built close to the road with large private gardens to 

the rear. Narrower plot widths are also a common 

feature in the centre of towns and villages. 

SCALE 

6.2.2 The scale of the proposal refers not just to the 

height and length of the building but to the scale of all its 

components, for example doors, windows and detailing. 

Massing refers to the way in which the building’s elements 

are put together and includes the volumes in both plan 

and elevation. 

6.2.3 The impact of telecommunications equipment, TV 

aerials and overhead cables must also be given 

consideration. Guidelines on this can be found in PPG 8 

and Appendix E of the DoE circular 9/95, ‘General 

Development Order Consolidation 1995’. 

COLOUR 

6.2.4 Colour can have a significant impact on the character 

of a building and its locale, particularly in conservation 

areas where colour may be subject to planning control. 

This concerns both the choice of materials and any applied 

colour. Even use of white can radically alter the 

appearance of a building for better or worse. The most 

successful colours are variants of those found naturally in 

the earth and landscape, such as browns, earth reds and 

dark greens, perhaps with a complementary colour 

applied to details (doors, windows, rainwater pipes). 

There are of course exceptions to this in Kent, particularly 

the pinks, blues and yellows in the architecture of some 

coastal towns. Colour does not necessarily have to be 

bound by this tradition but careful consideration should be 

given to context and to the shade, intensity, reflectiveness 

and area of coverage of the colour. 

6.2.1 Gardens - public/private space 

6.2.8 Buildings at a street corner are particularly 

important and should actively ‘turn the corner’. They can 

also provide good natural surveillance. 

PUBLIC REALM 


6.2.9 

• Successful places are well used - a steady passage of 

people gives a perception of safety; 

• Spaces for public events, markets and performances 

should be respected or, in a case of newly developing 

areas, created; 

• Private realm should be clearly distinguished from 

public realm (see Principle 7.1); 

• Building frontages, whether commercial, retail or housing 

should have a direct relationship with the street. The 

building line should be retained, unless a positive use of 

space or a specific feature are to be accommodated; 

• Buildings which attract the greatest activity and have a 

clear public function should be at the centre of a 

development, and their entrances should be clearly 

visible; 

• Infill development should not overlook the 

opportunity to design in a network of paths, routes 

and spaces - public areas such as shopping streets 



53

equire a greater degree of permeability for users; 

• Roads are not just a vehicular corridor but part of the 

public realm and have a key impact on the perception 

of the users. The aim should be to create streets for 

people, rather than roads for vehicles. This should be 

taken account in their design (see Technical Appendix 

section 2); 

• The public realm should be clearly enclosed by either 

buildings or landscape. Even a neighbourhood of semi- or 

detached housing can benefit from a sense of enclosure 

achieved by the use of hedges, fences and trees; and 

• The quality of all elements of the street scene 

contribute to the sense of place and should be 

complementary, including lamps, seats, litter bins, 

paving, bus shelters and signs. Sparing use of 

strategically placed street furniture is often the most 

effective solution. 

and isolated churches such as those on the Downs met 

the needs of remote communities. The nature of Kent’s 

buildings has also been defined by the significance of its 

agricultural economy and the practice of dividing land into 

small plots resulting in a heritage of small, timber-framed 

houses rather than large country mansions. 

6.3.3 Kent’s scattered interior contrasts with the 

defensive edge of the coastal towns, particularly those 

facing the continent. There are fine examples of defensive 

castles at Dover and Deal, and military strongholds that 

have left a legacy of unique buildings, particularly from the 

19th Century. The continental influence manifests itself in 

curved Dutch gables particularly in East Kent. 

6.3.4i Smarden 

6.3.4ii Ramsgate 


54 

6.2.9 Millennium Clock, Tunbridge Wells by John Mills 

Creativity can add to the richness of a place 

Principle 6.3: New development should respect local 

architectural heritage, make optimum use of existing 

buildings and recognise landmark buildings and 

features 

Kent’s Architectural History (see also Principle 9.5) 

6.3.1 Kent’s unique and varied architectural heritage 

forms a strong base from which to develop its future built 

environment. This heritage has become increasingly 

significant as interest in our social and cultural history, 

which the built environment describes, has grown. 

Historic buildings often display a close link to their locality 

in terms of form, function and materials from which 

modern designers can learn. 

6.3.1 Oast house heritage 6.3.2 Ancient buildings 

of Canterbury 

6.3.2 Kent has a distinctive dispersal of settlements 

formed in pre-medieval times when the County was still 

thickly wooded, with small settlements formed in 

clearings. Small market towns provided an economic hub 

6.3.4iii Scotney Castle 

6.3.4 Other major architectural achievements include 

Kent’s religious buildings, with some remains of the 

earliest Augustine 7th century churches, for example at 

Minster-in-Sheppey. Many fine 12-14th Century parish 

churches still grace the County’s countryside, and Kent 

boasts two fine cathedrals at Rochester and Canterbury. 

The construction of windmills, oasts, and agricultural 

buildings has also made a significant impact on Kent’s 

heritage and landscape. 

6.3.4iv Cobham Hall 

6.3.4v Old Romney 

6.3.5 Kent has some splendid examples of Elizabethan, 

Jacobean and Palladian architecture (for example Cobham 

Hall, Groome Park and Mereworth respectively). 

Decorative and moulded brickwork and classical details 

such as pediments and pilasters were prevalent in the 17th 

Century 7 . Complementing these grand buildings however 

is a proliferation of interesting domestic architecture. The 

precedents set in the 19th Century by the arts and crafts 


movement, which followed local building traditions and 

materials, were continued in to the 20th. 

6.3.5 historic detailing 6.3.6 Windmills of historic interest 

CONSERVATION 

6.3.6 Kent’s environment has experienced substantial 

pressure in the 20th Century caused notably by prolific 

housebuilding to accommodate the growing economy of the 

south-east. Buildings and areas of architectural or historic 

interest are of particular importance as, by definition, they are 

impossible to replace. Their cultural and aesthetic qualities 

give a richness and diversity to the local environment and 

offer a sense of place and historic continuity to both visitors 

and the local community. Each generation has a responsibility 

to future generations to protect such assets and to treat them 

with due sensitivity and care. 

scope for new additions or alterations to old buildings to 

be innovative and contemporary if they remain sensitive 

to the original design - a flexible approach could be 

adopted if the quality of the proposal justifies it. 

6.3.10 The most effective means of conservation of listed 

buildings and those in conservation areas is regular 

maintenance and repair using traditional materials. 

Effective maintenance prevents the need for extensive and 

costly works later. Sustainable principles for the treatment 

of historic buildings and their settings might include: 

• respecting the integrity of the buildings and their settings 

• minimising change, particularly to exteriors 

• accurately record change 

• ensuring extensions do not have a negative impact and 

are within the scale of the existing (see District 

Council policy guidance) 

• not disguising changes 

• allowing reversibility 

• using local natural materials 

• ensuring high quality workmanship 

• accepting modern solutions, where appropriate 

• respecting historic street patterns 

• referring to and using historic names. 

6.3.7 There is a presumption in favour of the retention 

and repair of buildings of special architectural or historic 

interest (as opposed to unsympathetic restoration or 

redevelopment) but old buildings must have viable uses if 

their retention is to be sustainable. 

6.3.8 Existing offices, houses, shops, commercial, 

agricultural or industrial buildings of conservation merit 

should be re-used wherever possible, not only for their 

local cultural and historic value but as an existing and 

therefore sustainable resource (see Objective 9). Each 

case will require assessment on an individual basis. They 

can help meet the demand for housing, and their 

restoration can stimulate regeneration in an area (see 

Case Study: Urban Splash, Objective 8). 

6.3.8 converted oasts, Wateringbury. (Crispin & Borst) 

6.3.9 Historic buildings require the adoption of a 

sympathetic approach to restoration or modification. 

Even a seemingly minor alteration to a building can be 

damaging to the historic character of an area, for example 

the loss of traditional windows or the introduction of hard 

surfacing to a front garden. Features and ornament such 

as chimney pots, stained glass and eaves details are often 

important elements of character. However, there may be 

6.3.10 Boots in Canterbury 

6.3.11 Listed buildings and their settings, Scheduled 

Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas may make an 

important contribution to local character and are 

protected by the Town and Country Planning (Listed 

Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. PPG 15 

‘Planning and the Historic Environment’ 8 offers guidance on 

this. It demands consent for demolition of any building or 

part of a building or structure, or removal of trees, and for 

any alteration or extension to a building. New 

development can provide the opportunity to enhance local 

heritage, but standard corporate commercial designs or 

housing layouts are rarely acceptable in this kind of context 

and should be avoided. Incremental change in an area is 

usually more desirable than wholesale transformation. 

Retention of views, patterns of movement and circulation 

across a site can enhance the new development. 


6.3.12 Many local planning authorities in Kent produce 

design guidelines for listed buildings, development in 

conservation areas (including Conservation Area 

Appraisals) and shopfront design. 

ARCHAEOLOGY 

6.3.13 There is a wealth of information on Kent’s historic 

past and built character buried underground. Many sites 

for new development or redevelopment may be of 

archaeological interest. It is important to undertake 



55


56 

assessment and evaluation of the archaeological potential 

of a site and the impact of the proposed works at an early 

stage. Where development is allowed, the aim should be 

to preserve significant archaeological deposits in situ 

through sympathetic design but archaeological 

investigation in advance of development may be a more 

appropriate response. Early consultation with the 

planning authority’s archaeological adviser is essential. 


THE TRINITY FOYER, MAIDSTONE 

PRINCIPLE 6.3 

6.3.7 Trinity Foyer, Maidstone 

Trinity Church in Maidstone had been empty since 

1974 and in very poor condition. Built in 1828, it was 

one of 35 Waterloo churches, a grateful gift from the 

Prussian government for the victory over Napoleon, 

and being grade II listed, it posed a problem. Various 

sources of funding amounting to £2.4 million enabled 

the conversion of the church into a multi-use centre 

for the local community and a foyer for young 

people. A steel-framed structure, following plans by 

the architects at Maidstone Borough Council, had to 

be built inside the Kentish ragstone walls. The stone 

of the steeple, which was 75% eroded, was replaced 

by stone masons and the tall windows double-glazed 

and skilfully incorporated to correspond with the 

storeys of the inner structure without detracting 

from their exterior appearance. On the ground floor 

the community has access to a play group, a fitness 

club, meeting rooms and a café and on the upper 

floor there is residential accommodation for 42 

young people. The Foyer opened in October 1998 

and is managed by Hyde Housing. 

6.4: Proposals for rural sites should reflect the 

particular considerations and sensitivity of such areas 

6.4.1 While the points raised in Principles 6.1 - 6.3 are all 

equally relevant to new development in rural areas, there 

are some specific qualities and sensitivities that may 

demand different solutions. Villages and rural areas are 

often defined by their diversity of building, irregularity of 

plan, minor roads and lanes and informality of spatial 

definition (for example, no kerbs on roads; simple 

wooden posts). The Countryside Agency’s ‘Planning for 

quality of life in rural England’ 9 offers propositions for 

development planning which include: 

• addressing the sustainability of a proposal as well as 

the visual appearance; 

• preparing a statement on the appropriateness of the 

development to its local context; and 

• laying down requirements for community involvement. 

The objective is not to inhibit change, which is an ongoing 

necessity. For landscape issues refer also to advice in 

Objective 10. 

6.4.2 While some external features may make an 

attractive addition to an urban landscape, they are usually 

at odds with rural locations (e.g. ornate walls, railings and 

lamps; plants and trees such as conifers or ornamental 

shrubs and garden ornaments). Clues can be gleaned 

from traditional boundaries used locally (often simple 

wooden fences, hedges or native trees) to prevent 

‘suburbanisation’ of the countryside. Similarly, 

unsympathetic highway design, such as the inappropriate 

use of pavements and kerbs, can be detrimental to the 

rural environment. The Highway Management Reference 

Book 10 gives guidance on the sensitive provision of roads 

and footpaths in locations such as listed buildings, ancient 

monuments and in conservation areas. It recommends 

communication between highway engineers and local 

planning and conservation officers to reach what may be 

a non-standard solution to satisfying safety and 

maintenance standards (see also Technical Appendix 

section 3). Care should be taken with signage and road 

markings should be minimised or subdued. In a rural 

environment, external lighting and security lighting can 

have a detrimental impact on the surrounding 

countryside, and should be kept to a minimum. 

6.4.3 Countryside Design Summaries, 11 a Countryside 

Agency publication, offers advice on producing character 

evaluations of an area that should address three elements: 

• the landscape setting of buildings 

• the relationship between settlements 

• the nature of the buildings themselves. 

These character assessments should consider such issues 

as geology, climate, exposure, the private/public domain 

of buildings and the visual and physical impact of trees and 

hedges. It is particularly important in a rural environment 

not just to protect existing trees, planting and other 

landscape features during construction but to ensure their 

ongoing care and survival by preventing root damage, for 

example. Such studies can be given particular strength 

when prepared in parallel with Village Design Statements 

(see Principle 1.6). 


NATIONAL TRUST GATEWAY TO THE 

WHITE CLIFFS VISITOR CENTRE, DOVER 

6.4.1 White Cliffs visitor centre, Dover (National Trust) 


The National Trust visitor centre perched on the white 

cliffs of Dover has received a great deal of favourable 

attention from architectural and environmental 

interests since its opening in May 1999. A design 

competition was held in order to meet the brief which 

demanded a building which was ‘green’ both in its 

visual impact on the landscape 

and its impact on the environment at large. Winning 

architects van Heyningen and Haward have met the 

challenge with an innovative building in which every 

element is designed to minimise environmental impact: 

• grass roof to avoid visual intrusion on the 

landscape; 

• timber frame sectional structure to allow for 

prefabrication (more efficient as construction 

method); 

• Western Red Cedar from audited forest sources 

chosen for cladding as it requires no paints or 

stains and is therefore low maintenance; 

• all other timber including furniture from source 

licensed by Forest Stewardship Council; 

• waste water collected from sinks for irrigating the 

grass roof; 

• high degree of insulation, and breathing walls to 

reduce condensation; 

• use of recyclable lead cladding on some walls and 

local traditional handcut brick; 

• boiler fitted with heat recovery unit; 

• taps with aeriators to reduce flow and auto 

switch-off; 

• designed never to require artificial light, other than 

at night; and 

• in line with National Trust policy, the café uses 

locally-sourced produce, for example Kentish 

apples, and ceramic crockery in preference to 

disposable cutlery and crockery. 

Perhaps most significantly, the building has been 

designed for zero impact - it has the capacity to be 

dismantled and the components recycled thus 

leaving no trace on the landscape. 

RE-USE OF BUILDINGS 

6.4.4 The restoration of redundant rural buildings, such 

as isolated houses and agricultural structures, can be 

beneficial to the local environment and economy, and 

encourage tourism. The merits of re-use are subject to 

other considerations such as traffic, and the impact on the 

character of the rural area. Care should be taken to 

ensure that the character of these buildings is retained. 

Some buildings may require such radical alteration to 

make them fit for occupation that they are not suitable for 

conversion. Elements that should be conserved include: 

• form, massing and roof-line 

• materials 

• openings such as windows and barn doors 

• overall simplicity of form and design 

• tone and colour of materials 

• setting in the landscape (access and parking 

provision must take this into careful consideration). 12 

Principle 6.5: The use of both traditional and modern 

materials and technologies should be evaluated by 

developers 

6.5.1 Good quality design relies on the choice and 

combination of materials that have been used. Local 

materials have the advantage of reinforcing the character 

of the local area whilst reducing the need for transport. 

6.5.1 modern detailing, University of Canterbury 

6.5.2 Design and construction of buildings, roads and 

other built elements have traditionally used the best 

available constructional technology and materials of the 

time. Whilst it may be important in many locations to 

retain the existing character, new materials can be used 

selectively to very good effect and may be more 

appropriate. Alternatively they may be used in conjunction 

with traditional components to produce a more innovative 

and unique building. Over-complex use of materials such 

as attempts to include brick, stone, render and timber in a 

single elevation are rarely successful. It is also important to 

consider the weathering of materials - how will they look 

in ten or twenty years time? 

6.5.3 Sustainable building practices may alter the 

appearance of buildings and challenge traditional 

aesthetics, but this can present an opportunity for 

innovative design (see Objective 9). 

6.5.3 detailing at Bluewater 




57

KENT’S BUILT HISTORY 

6.5.4 traditional materials in Kent 

6.5.4 Buildings in Kent have traditionally relied largely on 

locally available materials, but builders were also well 

located to import French stone and Spanish and east 

European timber for prestigious buildings. 

6.5.5 As most of the County was covered by forest until 

medieval times, timber construction characterised Kent’s 

buildings until the Tudor period, when the use of brick 

became more widespread and was seen as a more 

sophisticated material than timber. The richness and 

quality of Kent clays allowed a diverse range of colours 

from red-brown to the bluish Wealden bricks, although 

the earliest examples of brick construction in 14th and 

15th Centuries used buff coloured brick from Yorkshire 

and red brick from Lincolnshire. Tiles that resemble brick 

were sometimes used for wall cladding, as can be found 

in Faversham and Canterbury. Other popular materials 

include a variety of sandstone, flint and chalk from the 

North Downs, and ragstone. There was a ready supply of 

lime and sand to make plaster 13 . 

people as unattractive and insensitive. Public taste for 

nostalgia and the economies of scale for mass 

housebuilders have resulted in the creation of generic 

house types that appear up and down the country and 

incorporate inaccurate interpretations of past 

architectural styles, such as Georgian and Tudor. This 

reproductive architecture with its misuse of ‘period’ 

detailing is destroying the uniqueness of historic centres 

by making historic forms commonplace. 

6.6.2 Emphasis should be placed on the quality of the 

design solution, whether it be reproduction of historic 

styles or a more contemporary approach. An applied 

veneer of cladding in a traditional material can weaken the 

integrity of the style and structure of the building. This 

form of architecture often lacks the level of detailing or 

sense of scale of the original. These imitations offer a poor 

copy (such as leaded glass) or turn a functional element 

into a cosmetic add-on. Details derived from local 

buildings, such as windows or roofs, should retain the 

scale of the original. 

6.6.3 Each location and context for development is unique. 

No single formula for good quality design can be applied 

but calls for a careful appraisal of the site’s characteristics. 


58 

6.5.6 Timber was used for weatherboarding, coated in 

tar, left unpainted or painted white or cream, and for roof 

shingles and church spires. Hung tile and rendered walls 

were sheltered by thatched, tiled and slated roofs. Many 

of these materials and building styles may co-exist in the 

same village or even the same building, but all contribute 

to the character of the place. This can give the designer a 

broad palette to work from 14 . 

6.5.7 The significance of the architecture of Kent lies in its 

variety from district to district and even within districts, 

for example between coastal towns and their agricultural 

hinterland. Shepway’s coastal towns, for example, are 

characterised by clay tiles, Welsh slate, red or yellow 

stock brick, stucco render and featheredge boarding. 

Regency and early Victorian buildings introduced stucco, 

stone and cast iron balconies. Around the marshes, flint, 

ragstone, brick, tiles and hung tiles are prevalent. 

6.5.8 Many traditional materials, building forms and 

construction practices may be more sustainable, give 

greater longevity and be less energy intensive in their 

production than more modern technologies 15 . For example, 

timber-framed windows are now favoured by many 

authorities due to the short lifespan of UPVC windows and 

safety concerns over their performance in the case of fire. 

Principle 6.6: New design should avoid a confused 

application of architectural styles or inappropriate 

historic imitation 

6.6.1 In recent years there has been a backlash against 

modern architecture, which is interpreted by many 

6.6.3 infill development in context, Faversham 


SHELTERED HOUSING, AYCLIFFE 

PRINCIPLE 6.6 

6.6 a 6.6 b (Ballast Wiltshier) 

A successful example of development that provides 

comfort and security for elderly people in a spacious, 

light environment is Sunny Corner, a sheltered 

housing development at Aycliffe, Dover. The 

architectural division of Dover District Council 

proposed a building which would encourage 

residents to retain their independence for as long as 

possible. The accommodation, placed on either side 

of an internal street, gives residents the opportunity 

to escape from their own four walls and enjoy 

bright, communal areas with plenty of scope to 

socialise with their neighbours. 


The architects have exploited the sloping site by 

building in steps and taking advantage of the superb 

views over the Channel. The building maximises 

natural light with an impressive atrium on the 

northern elevation and a glazed roof over the internal 

street. A water to air heat exchanger ensures that 

rising heat is recovered and stratified air ducts recycle 

air to keep the building at a comfortable temperature. 

along the route may offer a better solution. External 

lighting should also avoid penetrating bedrooms. 

The building was constructed by a long standing Kent 

developer, Ballast Wiltshier. This Canterbury division 

of an international company has long recognised the 

importance of sustainable development and gained a 

coveted Environmental Award for Kent Business in 

1998 for its local community involvement and policies 

to employ local people and use local suppliers 

wherever possible. Kent County Council and 

Aylesford Newsprint sponsor these annual awards 

for Kent companies wishing to show their 

commitment to saving resources, sustainability and 

protecting the environment. 

Principle 6.7: Development should be human in scale 

and provide permeability and visual interest to those 

on foot 

6.7.1 Developers and housebuyers often give greater 

attention and resources to the interior of a new property 

than the external planning and detailing. The sheer scale 

of housing developments can leave them soulless and carreliant 

unless carefully planned. Settlements in the past 

have enjoyed an organic growth over many years. 

6.7.2 The scale, height, massing and density of a new 

development all have an impact on the streetscape. Greater 

attention should be given to encouraging walking to and 

through a development by creating a more visually 

interesting environment. Buildings should address the street 

positively, rather than creating barriers such as high boundary 

walls and fences. Buildings should front rather than back 

onto footways, both for visual interest and to reduce the risk 

of crime. Boundaries and demarcations, from urban wrought 

iron railings and brick walls to simple stone bollards or 

timber posts, should be appropriate to their location. 

Principle 6.8: Caution should be taken to prevent 

excessive or inappropriate external lighting, 

particularly in sensitive areas 

6.8.1 In recent times, light pollution has become a 

prominent environmental concern. External lighting 

should be integrated with the fabric and character of the 

environment and should be based on an assessment of the 

needs of the users, the location, the size of the space and 

the activities to be lit. It requires a skilled engineer and 

careful planning to avoid overpowering and unnecessary 

lighting or inappropriately large equipment. Many existing 

dwellings in sensitive locations have no, or minimal, 

external lighting. These locations are not necessarily rural; 

they can include streets or districts within towns and 

villages where light levels have traditionally been low. 

Smaller and/or lower fittings placed more frequently 

6.8.1 lighting at Market Buildings, Maidstone 

6.8.2 Lighting in the public domain should be designed to 

ensure the safety and security of those on foot; cars have 

the benefit of headlamps to illuminate their path. 

Illumination from lamps that are lower in height can meet 

the needs of pedestrians and minimise light pollution and 

spillage outside the area that needs to be lit. District 

planning authorities should ensure that local plans have 

effective policies to deal with light pollution resulting from 

development and may consider conditions to prevent 

unnecessarily powerful external lighting from being installed 

by residents. (See also Principle 7.6 for issues related to 

lighting for safety and Section 2 in the Technical Appendix.) 

6.8.3 Carefully considered or innovative lighting can 

enhance both buildings and outdoor spaces by highlighting 

special architectural features and displaying form, materials, 

colour and texture. Lamp-posts can be a feature, 

reinforcing the identity of an area or creating a gateway. In 

some locations, however, it may be more appropriate to 

reduce street clutter by mounting lamps on buildings 16 . 

REFERENCES: 

1 Time for Design, English Partnerships, 1998 

2 Convention Centre Quarter (one of several area-specific strategy 

documents), Birmingham City Council, 1994; Essex Design Guide, Essex 

Planning Officers’ Association, 1997 

3 Finding the tools for better urban design, K Campbell and R Cowan, 

Planning 12/2/99 p16-17 

4 Village Design, Countryside Commission, 1996 

5 Planning Policy Guidance Note 1 General Policy and Principles, 

Department of the Environment, 1997 

6 Responsive Environments, Bentley, Alcock, Murrain, McGlynn and Smith, 1985 

7 Buildings of England: North East and East Kent 3rd ed, J Newman, 1983 

8 Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 Planning and the Historic Environment, 

Department of the Environment, 1994 

9 Planning for quality of life in rural England, The Countryside Agency, 1999 

10 The Highway Management Reference Book, Kent County Council, revised 

1998 

11 Countryside Design Summaries, Countryside Commission (now 

Countryside Agency), 1996 

12 Re-use of Rural Buildings Design Guide, Tunbridge Wells Borough 

Council, 1999 

13 Buildings of England: North East and East Kent 3rd ed, J Newman, 1983 

14 A Celebration of Kent’s Architectural Heritage, Kent County Council, 1989 

15 Sustainable Settlements; a guide for planners, designers and developers, 

by H Barton, G Davis and R Guise; University if the West of 

England/Local Government Management Board, 1995 

16 Places, People and Movement, Department of the Environment, Transport 

and the Regions, 1998 




59


LOCALITY 

• Have the principles of permeability, 

variety, legibility, robustness, visual 

appropriateness, richness and 

personalisation been resolved? 

• Will the development make a positive 

contribution to the area? 

• Has a site appraisal been undertaken? 

• Is the scale and type of development 

appropriate? 

• Has the historic character of existing 

buildings, particularly listed buildings and 

conservation areas, been respected and 

enhanced? 

• Has the ongoing maintenance of any listed 

buildings/conservation areas been ensured? 

• Have views of key buildings and 

landscapes been retained or framed? 

• If the proposal is in a rural area, does it 

respond to the character and context of 

the site? 

• Do any features suggest suburbanisation 

of Kent’s rural environment? 

• Has the appropriateness of the materials 

to the local and Kentish context been 

considered? 

• Is the quality of the design the best that 

can be achieved for the development? 

• Is the development visually interesting 

and human in scale at street level? 

• Is the degree and type of lighting 

appropriate to the location and has light 

pollution been avoided? 


60 


safety 




7 

Provide a safe, healthy and secure environment for both people 

and property 

PERSONAL SAFETY & SECURITY 

Principle 7.1: There should be a clear distinction 

between public and private space 


YOUTH SHELTER, MARCHAM, OXFORDSHIRE 

PRINCIPLE 7.2 

7.1 public / private hierarchy 

7.2 Youth Shelter, Marcham 

(Thames Valley Police / Marcham Parish Council) 

safety 

62 

7.1.1 Clear definition of space is required so that 

residents can have an element of control over their 

environment and know who should or should not be 

there, thus giving them the means to challenge 

inappropriate individuals. Open space between buildings 

should, as far as possible, be clearly defined as being 

either public and open to all, or private and defensible. 

Public open space, parks, play areas, highways and 

adjoining land, should have certain indicators to show that 

it is in the public domain; for example, benches, litterbins 

and signs. Private space may be defined by building 

enclosures, gates or doors, hedges or fences of various 

kinds, or by demarcation between the edge of the 

footway and the garden. Semi-private spaces, such as 

parking courts or amenity areas in front of buildings, can 

be problem areas if there is no clear sense of ownership 

or responsibility. Semi-private space should be designed 

to be overlooked, be well-lit and well maintained to 

maximise the sense of ownership. 

Principle 7.2: Schemes should incorporate shared 

areas to encourage walking, cycling and socialising 

and to enhance safety and security 

7.2.1 Developments that have a high degree of activity 

within them such as walkers, cyclists and slow moving 

vehicles, are likely to deter criminal activity. Well-peopled 

streets encourage vehicles to travel more slowly, thus 

enhancing safety. Lively streets can be achieved by 

introducing a mixture of uses, dwelling types and tenures 

so that there is a greater spread of activity (see Objective 

4). Developments should be permeable and offer a choice 

of routes to community buildings, shops, schools, and 

pubs. A mature development will be home to people of 

all ages and a range of needs should be catered for. 

Therefore, open space should offer centrally located play 

areas or fitness areas, larger areas for ball games or dog 

walking and a sheltered meeting place. 

In 1987 the village of Marcham in Oxfordshire 

reported the usual problem of youths hanging around 

the local shop and causing nuisance. The Parish 

Council consulted these young people to see what 

facility they would like to have. The answer was a 

place of their own. A concrete shelter was designed 

and built and decorated by the youths with a striking 

mural design. The shelter is located in a sunny spot 

adjacent to the local cricket field. It is protected from 

wind on two of its six sides, and has seating, lighting 

and a litterbin. Every few years the next generation 

of users re-decorate with their own designs. The 

shelter was carefully designed to be fire and vandalproof 

but, at the same time, attractive to use. Since 

its construction the village has reported fewer youth 

problems and vandalism has been reduced. 

Principle 7.3: Design should encourage self-policing 

and offer surveillance of property 

7.3.1 Section 17 of the 1998 Crime & Disorder Act 1 

imposes a duty on each local authority to exercise its 

functions with due regard to the need ‘to do all that it 

reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder in its area’. 

The incidence of crime has a close relationship with social 

and physical arrangements. The layout of roads, design of 

housing and public buildings, and positioning of public 

amenities all have an influence on the potential for crime. 

Local authorities should give consideration to the latest 

advice on crime prevention, as they may be held liable if 

a design flaw results in a subsequent crime problem. 




Illustration 7.3.1 overlooking enhances safety and security 

7.3.2 Burglars will target areas where they feel they have 

a clear and direct escape route and will not be observed. 

Public open space, particularly when play areas are 

included, must be overlooked so that parents can keep an 

eye on children and can report inappropriate behaviour. 

Paths and cycleways should be well lit and designed to be 

overlooked by properties. They should not be so densely 

planted as to provide hiding places. Vulnerable areas, such 

as back fences and hidden pockets, may be protected by 

the growth of thorny plants. 

7.3.3 Parked cars are particularly vulnerable and car 

crime accounts for a high percentage of total crime. It is 

very important that parking areas should be open, 

overlooked and appropriately lit. Screening parked cars 

will allow potential thieves to work unobserved. 

Courtyard parking should conform to this, and be 

designed to give the message that it is private, defensible 

space. ‘On plot’ basement garaging is a safe and practical 

alternative to ‘at grade’ parking, and can help to reduce 

the visual dominance of the car. Entrances to buildings 

should be visible from the street, and gaps between 

buildings should be gated or fenced, though these should 

be designed to be see-through. The design of windows 

can maximise surveillance by using bays, oriels or gable 

windows and advantage can be taken of corner buildings 

to provide views into adjacent streets. 

7.3.4 Detailed guidance on issues of security and safety in 

the public realm can be found in documents such as 

Circular 5/94 - ‘Planning Out Crime’ 2 and ‘Secured by 

Design’ 3 produced by the Police. Advice on more sitespecific 

issues can be sought from the Police Architectural 

Liaison Officer, preferably at the pre-planning stage. 

NEW ASH GREEN 

PRINCIPLE 7.3 

Conceived in the 1960s by architect Eric Lyons and 

developer Span (Kent) Ltd., New Ash Green 

represents an early example of a sustainable mixeduse 

urban village. Designed on the principle of 

excluding vehicles from the core, motorised through 

traffic is relegated to a perimeter ring road. The 

internal layout consists of a network of footpaths 

linking small neighbourhoods, or collections of 

dwellings. Distances are never great, as the 

maximum radius of the village is approximately 

800m, with community buildings at the core. Soft 

landscaping, now mature, is a major feature of the 

design, as it is used in various ways: to screen, 

provide visual and recreational amenity, to lend 

privacy to neighbourhoods and to extend the rural 

‘feel’ into the local environment. 

One of the features of New Ash Green is the use of 

interlinking footpaths that permeate the whole village. 

Footpaths are designed to run past the fronts of 

dwellings and are thus well overlooked. The houses 

themselves were designed with this surveillance 

feature in mind with well-used rooms such as kitchens 

and living rooms overlooking the paths. 

The design of the neighbourhoods, which limit road 

access to individual dwellings, encourages walkers 

and cyclists to use the paths, providing a greater 

sense of security and surveillance. Potential thieves 

may also be deterred by having to leave getaway 

vehicles some distance from the dwellings. 

Incidence of housebreaking is low in New Ash 

Green but vehicle crime is much higher as parking 

areas are some distance from properties and 

footpaths are well screened, providing privacy for 

thieves. More remote play areas have been 

vandalised simply because they are not overlooked 

and in many cases vegetation has been allowed to 

become very overgrown, adding to the screening 

effect. With hindsight careful design of parking and 

play areas, combined with greater attention to 

landscape maintenance, would have helped 

overcome some of the problems. 

Kentsafety 

Principle 7.4: A sense of ownership should be 

encouraged through the quality of the public realm 

7.4.1 Areas that are well-kept and litter-free help to 

discourage vandalism, further littering and other 

nuisances. Investing in better quality, more durable 

materials will pay off in the long-term. Residents should 

be encouraged to take part in the upkeep of their own 



63


64 

development through Residents Associations or 

Management Companies. The more involvement 

residents have the greater their feeling of responsibility 

towards their environment. Crime issues will be dealt 

with most effectively through a partnership between 

residents, local authorities and the police. 

Principle 7.5: Building design should conform to the 

latest safety and security advice 

7.5.1 Much can be done to deter opportunistic crime by 

the use of simple deterrent devices. A key task is to 

ensure that dwellings, commercial premises, schools and 

community buildings are made physically secure by 

including burglar alarms, sophisticated door and window 

locks, padlocks and concealed hinges for outbuildings. 

Consideration can be given to room layout so that 

valuable items such as computers, televisions and videos 

are not visible through windows. 

7.5.2 Detailed building design guidance can be found in 

Secured by Design (ACPO) 4 and through the Safer Kent 

Initiative, a partnership between the Police, local 

authorities, the Fire Service, and health authorities. 

Guidance is given on accesses, extensions, lighting, shop 

grilles, locks, bolts and bars and other safety devices. 

7.5.3 Adequate provision must be made for access to 

housing areas for the Fire Service and other emergency 

services. (Detailed guidance on access for the Fire Service 

can be found in Kent Fire Brigade Technical Bulletin No. 

G18) 5 . Appropriate water provision for the use of the Fire 

Service must be made available, and in particular, 

adequate hydrant provision for mixed-use developments. 


NIGHTINGALE ESTATE, HACKNEY 

PRINCIPLE 7.5 

The Nightingale Estate is a component of a larger 

£300 million project to regenerate five Hackney 

estates. Around 500 homes will be refurbished and 

an additional 360 homes integrated into the scheme. 

The main objective is to improve the quality of life of 

residents by providing a greater sense of physical 

security and by improving the quality of the 

environment. 

The ‘fortress-like’ feel of the estate is eliminated by : 

• introducing a plan based on traditional street 

patterns 

• strengthening the links to surrounding areas 

• giving buildings clear entrances onto street frontages. 

Principle 7.6: An appropriate level of lighting should 

be provided to enhance safety and security 

7.6.1 Fear of personal crime often results in people 

staying off the streets once darkness falls, and research 

shows that certain sectors of the public are more likely to 

be victims of crime when walking the streets after dark. 

Those at risk include women on their own, the elderly, 

and young people between the ages of 11 and 17. Studies 

have shown that lighting can do much to reduce crime 

and the perception of crime. To enhance safety, lighting 

should be provided for footways and cycleways where 

these are segregated from the carriageway. Adequate 

access must be allowed for the maintenance of such 

lighting. Design specifications for lighting are constantly 

being updated, and energy efficient and non-intrusive 

styles of luminaire are now commonplace (see also 

Principle 6.8 and ‘A Guide for Crime & Disorder 

Reduction through a Public Lighting Strategy’ 6 . 

7.6.2 An appropriate overall level of street lighting for 

carriageways, footways and footpaths will help reduce the 

need for intrusive and high energy-consuming security 

lighting. 

7.6.3 Footways and cycleways may best be left unlit 

when located in rural or otherwise unlit areas and when 

such links cross rural land between urban areas. 

Consultation with the parish council at an early stage will 

ascertain the desire for lighting in a given locality. 


IMPROVED LIGHTING, DUDLEY & STOKE 

PRINCIPLE 7.6 

High-pressure sodium lighting was introduced into 

two residential areas in Dudley & Stoke-on-Trent. 

Changes in crime, disorder, fear, quality of life and 

night-time street use were compared during the 

twelve month period before and after the street 

lighting improvements. Sample sizes were sufficiently 

large to have statistical significance, and adjacent and 

control areas were similarly compared. In both 

projects the improved lighting reduced crime 

significantly, pedestrian street use after dark 

increased dramatically and the benefits outweighed 

the costs of the new lighting. Studies of the control 

areas showed no evidence of a shift in crime to other 

areas. It was concluded that new lighting was a cheap 

method of environmental improvement (project 

undertaken by Institute of Lighting Engineers). 

HIGHWAY SAFETY 

Principle 7.7: Highway infrastructure should not 

dominate the layout of estates 

7.7.1 Generous road space inevitably gives the 

psychological message to drivers that they have priority 

over other road users and encourages habitual car use, 

car domination and speeding. Developments should be 

designed so that vulnerable road users, such as walkers, 

cyclists and people with disabilities, have priority over 

motorised traffic. This can be achieved by keeping vehicle 

speeds low by designing road layouts that constrain 

drivers (by using short lengths, tight radii and narrow 

widths) and by giving greater dominance to buildings and 

landscaping (see Technical Appendix, section 2). 


dominance of motorised traffic and provide pedestrians 

and cyclists with a greater sense of security and freedom. 

The lower the traffic speeds, the greater the potential for 

flexibility of the highway layout - thus improving urban 

design and reducing highway ‘dominance’. Speed should, 

as far as possible, be controlled by perceptual methods of 

road design that lend a feeling of constraint. Drivers will 

travel more quickly when there is an open aspect so long, 

wide, straight or gently curving roads should be avoided, 

especially if housing is set back from the frontage. 

7.7.1 highway layout has been designed around a network of linked spaces 


POUNDBURY 

PRINCIPLE 7.7 

7.7 Poundbury (HMSO) 

Poundbury is an edge-of-town mixed use 

development in Dorchester which lies within the 

Duchy of Cornwall estate. 

7.8.1 natural speed restraint 

Designed on the basis of linking neighbourhoods, the 

road network consists of a series of linked spaces. 

Links are short, and vary in type and usage. On the 

larger scale they may serve as principal access for 

motorised traffic or, at the other end of the scale, 

merely serve as footpaths. Footpaths are short, fairly 

broad and well lit to encourage use. 

Each space is different in design and lends a distinct 

character to the neighbourhoods. 

Spaces vary in size and function from village square to 

intimate parking court. Dwellings are arranged to 

overlook all of the public realm, both links and squares, 

thus providing surveillance and a sense of community. 

Principle 7.8: Speed restraint should be an integral 

part of road design 

7.8.1 Speed restraint should be designed into a 

development so that artificial traffic calming devices do 

not have to be bolted on later when the development 

reaches its full potential. Low speeds reduce the 

7.8.2 The street pattern can have as significant an impact 

on speed restraint as some traffic calming techniques. 

Building close to the edge of the road and building tall both 

help emphasise the ‘narrowness’ of roads. This may be 

enhanced by controlled on-street parking in certain areas. 


7.8.3 Road junctions may be incorporated into public 

open space in the form of small, urban squares that break 

up street lengths. 

7.8.4 Planting and differentiated surface textures can be 

used to achieve speed restraint whilst some streets may 

provide a through route only for pedestrians or cyclists. 

7.8.5 Raised measures such as road humps and speed 

tables (traffic calming) are generally applied to existing 

roads but are effective in keeping speeds low and have 

their place in certain situations. They are unsuitable for 

bus routes and have the disadvantage of creating 

additional noise, increasing emergency service response 

times, and raising pollution levels. (Further guidance on 

traffic calming and speed restraint devices can be found in 

‘Traffic Calming - a code of practice’ 7 .) 



65

Principle 7.9: Speed restraint measures should reflect 

local character 

7.9.1 The design of speed restraints should, as far as 

possible, reflect the local context, whether urban, 

suburban or rural village. Such measures should 

complement rather than detract from the overall design 

objectives of the scheme, and should not create additional 

noise or inconvenience buses, walkers or cyclists. 

7.9.2 An urban, higher density development layout may 

be based on a traditional grid pattern of streets 

incorporating techniques such as short, straight lengths, 

varying road width, junction treatments and controlled 

car parking. The materials used for speed restraint should 

also reflect local character. In the urban situation hard 

materials such as tarmac, brick, stone, cast iron and 

concrete might be appropriate. 

7.9.3 Suburban layouts may include a mix of street types 

from boulevards to winding ‘lanes’. These types of layout 

may rely more on the use of plants and the incorporation 

of features like ‘decorative’ bridges and road deflections, 

such as roundabouts, to achieve speed reduction. There 

are a wide range of materials suitable for suburban speed 

restraint. Examples might include; a variety of brick pavors 

for surfaces; reconstituted rubber and plastics for bollards; 

maintained grass and formal planting for roundabouts or 

build-outs; and stone or concrete for kerbing. 

7.10.2 Homezone (Devon County Council, ‘Traffic Calming Guidelines’) 

7.10.2 ‘Homezones’ are residential streets where drivers 

have to give way to pedestrians and cyclists and are 

responsible for any injuries they cause to them. 

Homezones should be engineered so that traffic speeds 

are very low, around 10mph, and may incorporate 

grassed areas or play equipment. The benefits of 

homezones are various; they provide additional outdoor 

leisure space which has health benefits for both children 

and adults, they can help prevent crime as well-used 

streets contribute to surveillance, and they also foster 

community links by encouraging social interaction. There 

are also significant benefits to people with disabilities as 

they can safely walk within a homezone (Homezones, 

Children’s Play Council, London) 10 . 


66 

7.9.4 Rural village layouts may rely on sharp bends, 

limited sight lines, overhanging trees and vegetation and 

rough-grassed banks or walls to keep the perception of 

constraint. The use of stone, gravel and timber suggests a 

rural environment and local materials, such as ragstone or 

flint, and other vernacular details incorporated into the 

design, would help provide contextual ‘clues’. 

Principle 7.10: Priority should be given to the safety of 

pedestrians and cyclists over cars 

7.10.1 Pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users should 

be provided with a network of linking routes that offer 

direct access to ‘magnets’: schools, community centres 

and leisure areas. These users should, as far as possible, 

have the most direct links. Measures to help walkers may 

include; pedestrian bridges, pedestrian crossings, raised 

crossing points, shared surfaces and ‘homezones’. 

Measures for cyclists may consist of toucan crossings, 

advance stop lines at signals and cyclist priority at junction 

mouths and roundabouts. In order to speed up journeys 

for cyclists, routes may bypass junctions or provide a twoway 

route through a one-way system. Care must be 

taken to ensure that pedestrian paths and cycleways are 

not abused by car drivers and motorcyclists, and that 

various types of lockable bollards and motorbike 

deterrent barriers are placed in critical locations. Where 

routes for pedestrians and cyclists are away from those 

used by motorised traffic it is important to design them so 

they are safe and attractive to use (Kent Walking Strategy 8 

and Kent Cycling Strategy 9 , 1999). 

Principle 7.11: Developments should be designed to 

meet the needs of people with disabilities 

7.11.1 As many as one in fifteen people suffer from some 

form of disability which affects mobility. This figure may 

rise as life expectancy increases. Consideration must be 

given at the outset to the needs of people with disabilities 

so that their comfort and mobility is ensured. The Human 

Rights Act 11 covers the issue in the general sense whilst 

the Approved Document M - ‘Access and Facilities for 

Disabled People’,1999 12 covers the design specifics for 

buildings and access. ‘Highways suitable for the mobility 

impaired’ 13 and ‘Reducing Mobility Handicaps’ 14 cover 

highway design aspects. 

7.11.1 disabled needs 

7.11.2 In some cases, needs for various disabilities can 

conflict. Consultation with specific bodies such as KAB 

and RNIB can provide information and ideas to help to 

overcome any conflict between differing needs. 

Consideration of an overall strategy for disabled facilities 

and mobility provision within a development must be 

considered to enable design considerations to be taken 

on board from the outset. 


Principle 7.12: New developments should be designed 

to provide a healthy environment 

HEALTH (EXTERNAL CONSIDERATIONS) 

7.12.1 The Garden City movement was instrumental in 

designing estates of well-spaced and airy dwellings, as a 

contrast to cramped slums, by promoting the notion of 

health and vitality for residents. Although this movement 

may seem outdated, its ethos was sound, and health 

considerations are just as important today. Global 

warming and fears about ozone depletion should be 

considered. In order to minimise risk from skin cancer, 

shade should be provided either from trees or structures 

within streets and public areas. The design of public 

buildings to include architectural features such as 

overhangs and awnings that provide additional shade, 

should be considered. Species of trees and shrubs that are 

most efficient in cleaning up ozone pollution should be 

promoted. 

7.12.2 Cycle-ways, ‘trim trails’ and attractive walking 

routes will encourage residents to take regular exercise. 

A range of play areas from those for small children up to 

skateboard areas and football pitches for older children 

should be provided when the scale of development 

demands it. Many development sites will include existing 

footpaths and bridleways which can be incorporated into 

more strategic routes for walkers and riders. 

standards, ventilation and amenities. Designs should avoid 

buildings being so close together that they impede natural 

light (BRE). Gardens are important for privacy, relaxation 

and recreation. A range of sizes should be provided to 

meet the needs and preferences of individuals. In denser, 

more urban situations the inclusion of a garden may not 

be practical, but the provision of some growing space, be 

it balcony, yard, roof garden or even a window box, can 

make a positive contribution to health and well being. 

Gardens provide a safe place for children to play and 

gardening itself is a healthy and popular hobby. Both the 

use of home-produced compost and the growing of one’s 

own food are sustainable activities. The provision of 

clothes drying areas helps to reduce the use of tumble 

dryers that consume considerable energy and can 

increase condensation. (Further guidance can be found in 

‘Saving Lives - Our Healthier Nation’.) 17 

HEALTH (INTERNAL CONSIDERATIONS) 

7.12.5 Housing design should ensure both internal and 

external spaces can accommodate users with disabilities, 

or easily be adapted. This might include: ensuring that the 

approach to entrances is level; that internal spaces are 

large enough to manoeuvre a wheelchair; passages are an 

appropriate width and electric sockets are located at a 

convenient height. External ramps and handrails may also 

be appropriate. For further reference see ‘Designing 

Lifetime Homes’, 1997 18 . A number of changes have been 

introduced in the 1999 Document Part M of the Building 

Regulations 19 which will also have implications for building 

design. These include some of the above points as well as 

requirements for the design of the approach and 

threshold of a building, and the provision of ground floor 

sanitary facilities. 

7.12.2 playground 

7.12.3 Many devices can be used to help people with 

disabilities on the highway. These include dropped kerbs 

and tactile paving; audible and tactile crossing indicators; 

the use of contrasting street paving and the design of 

steps, ramps, handrails and other street furniture. These 

are outlined in ‘Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving 

Surfaces’ 15 , and ‘Highways Suitable for the Mobility 

Impaired’ 16 . 

7.12.4 useful garden 

7.12.4 In the interests of health, developments should be 

carefully designed for the purpose for which they are 

intended. They should have good access, adequate space 

7.12.6 Building design should conform to the latest 

standards in respect of ventilation and drainage as set out 

in the Building Regulations. Consideration should also be 

given to standards of fire safety. The use of flammable 

and/or toxic construction materials should as far as 

possible be avoided and sprinkler systems installed in 

larger buildings when appropriate. Details on water 

provision for various building types are outlined in 

‘National Guidance Document on the Provision of Water 

for Firefighting’ 20 (see Technical Appendix: Miscellaneous). 


7.12.7 Ideally, all rooms including bathrooms and kitchens 

should have opening windows to avoid reliance on less 

sustainable mechanical ventilation. Smoke alarms and 

household sprinkler systems should be installed as 

standard practice. While some of these requirements may 

fall outside of planning controls it may be appropriate at 

the planning stage to ensure that no other legislation is 

contravened in order to avoid the need for subsequent 

revisions to the design. 



67


68 

7.12.8 opening window in bathroom 

7.12.8 In order to raise standards of quality, local 

authorities may wish to consider developing accreditation 

schemes. 

REFERENCES: 

1 Crime & Disorder Act 1998 - Section 17 

2 Circular 5/94 - Planning Out Crime 

3 Secured by Design, Association of Chief Police Officers/Home Office, 

1989 

4 Secured by Design (see above) 

5 Kent Fire Brigade Technical Bulletin No. G18, Kent & Medway Town Fire 

Authority, 1994 

6 Guide for Crime & Disorder Reduction through a Public Lighting Strategy, 

Institute of Lighting Engineers - 1999 

7 Traffic Calming - a code of practice, Kent County Council 1997 

8 Kent Walking Strategy (Draft), 1999 

9 Kent Cycling Strategy (Draft), 1999 

10 Home Zones - Reclaiming Residential Streets, Children’s Play Council, 

1999 

11 The Human Rights Act 2000 

12 Building Regulations Approved Document M - Access and Facilities for 

Disabled People, 1999 

13 Highways Suitable for the Mobility Impaired, Kent County Council 1999 

14 Reducing Mobility Handicaps - Towards a Barrier Free Environment, 

Institute of Highways & Transportation, 1991 

15 Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving Surfaces, Department of the 

Environment, Transport and the Regions, 1998 

16 Highways Suitable for the Mobility Impaired, Kent County Council, 1999 

17 Saving Lives - Our Healthier Nation, Department of Health, 1998 

18 Designing Lifetime Homes, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1997 

19 Document M of the Building regulations - see above 

20 National Guidance Document on the Provision of Water for Firefighting, 

Kent and Medway Towns Fire Authority, 1998 


SAFETY 

• Is there a clear distinction between public 

and private space? 

• Are there sufficient functions in the 

scheme to ensure street activity during a 

large part of the day? 

• Has the scheme been designed with due 

regard to self-policing and surveillance? 

• Has the Architectural Liaison Officer been 

consulted at the pre-planning stage? 

• Has the quality of the public realm been a 

major consideration? 

• Have partnerships been forged between 

various bodies to safeguard public areas? 

• Has the highway layout been integrated 

with the buildings? 

• What percentage of land is highway? 

• Have perceptual methods of speed 

restraint been employed? 

• Has the number of bolt-on devices been 

reduced or eliminated? 

• Do the speed restraint measures reflect 

the character of the environment? 

• Have measures been taken to give 

walkers and cyclists priority over cars? 

• Have specific measures been provided for 

people with disabilities or mobility 

problems? 

• Have specific measures been provided for 

fitness and other health considerations? 


maximising use 




8 

Maximise the use of land by encouraging the development of 

recycled land and increasing density 

maximising use 

70 

Principle 8.1: Development should maximise the site’s 

potential 

8.1.1 Land is a precious resource that needs to be used 

effectively. In order to maximise the use of land and 

create attractive environments within built up areas, it is 

important to take advantage of a site’s innate 

characteristics. Natural features such as trees and slopes 

can add to a sense of place. Topographical assets are often 

under-utilised or destroyed for ease of development (see 

Principle 6.1 on site appraisal). The site’s potential should 

engage with its context at every opportunity. 

8.1 site characteristics influencing development at Yeoman Park, Maidstone. 

8.1.2 Setting aside land solely for car parking can limit a 

site’s potential. Reducing car parking provision in 

appropriate circumstances; providing multi-use space 

(e.g. informal parking and public squares) or promoting 

home zones where the car is less dominant, can promote 

a more effective use of land and create more attractive 

environments. A report by Llewellyn Davies (see case 

study) offers valuable advice on the effect of car parking 

standards in realising the potential of a site. 


LLEWELLYN DAVIES REPORT 

‘SUSTAINABLE RESIDENTIAL QUALITY: NEW APPROACHES 

TO URBAN LIVING’ REPORT FOR LONDON PLANNING 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE/DETR/GOVERNMENT OFFICE FOR 

LONDON (1998) 

PRINCIPLE 8.1 AND 8.4 

The study explored the potential to increase both 

development density and profitability by reducing the 

level of parking provision within developments. The 

study started from the premise that highway standards 

can impose a road geometry in isolation from the 

residential potential of the individual sites. Requirements 

for vehicular access onto the wider road network may 

make development unviable or impractical, especially on 

small sites. The study focused on sites within identified 

‘ped-sheds’ which are areas within 800m of the town 

centre (approximately 10 minutes walking distance 

taking into account the severance effect of busy roads). 

The aim of the study was to assess the potential of 

urban sites to absorb development. A range of sites 

was considered including: 

• backlands 

• sites constrained by road network 

• derelict buildings 

• underused allotments 

• those constrained by railway noise (requiring single 

aspect solutions) 

• underused car parks 

• corner plots 

• sites in temporary use 

• ex-industrial sites. 

The report identified a number of constraints to the 

development of urban sites including land ownership, 

land assembly, ransom strips, speculation, the costs of 

demolition, legal issues (for example, covenants, 

rights of way) and relocating existing uses. It was 

considered that these can be overcome through the 

normal workings of the property market, although 

some support of other agencies in land assembly and 

gap funding may be necessary. 

Recommendations for Car Parking 

(for latest Kent Standards see Technical Appendix) 

a) Unitary Development Plan Standards 1-2 spaces 

per dwelling 

b) Reduced 0.5-1 spaces per dwelling 

c) Nil parking. 

Off plot parking areas should only be considered if 

able to meet security requirements. 

Illustration 8.1 i Unitary Development Plan (UDP) housing policies and 

standards (Llewellyn Davies) 

Illustration 8.1 ii reduced parking and enhanced design (Llewellyn Davies) 



Illustration 8.1 iii nil parking (Llewellyn Davies) 

The indicative layouts suggested that car parking 

could be traded off for enhanced design. Communal 

or nil parking allowed more amenity space to be 

provided and a much stronger building solution, 

particularly on prominent corner sites. Dispensing 

with the need for on-plot parking allowed buildings 

to be pulled forward and to continue the building 

lines created by existing development, which in 

London are often Victorian or Georgian terraces. 

Communal parking is shown at the rear of buildings 

where cars could still be overlooked by occupants 

but without dominating the streetscape. The report 

concluded that residential development value 

increases with the intensity of development. 

The interface between new and existing development 

is important. For example, in backland development 

(areas to the rear of existing houses) there is a need 

to achieve a legible form, avoiding front gardens facing 

back gardens, and allowing for adequate sunlight. 

Recommended privacy distances of 20m (London) 

could be reduced with appropriate design solutions. 

Fenestration and layout can be planned to increase 

natural surveillance within the streetscape. 

Conclusions - relaxation of standards could unlock 

development potential. Proactive urban management 

and a site specific design-led approach can also 

produce better residential development than is 

possible under current UDP policies and standards. 

Local neighbourhood design strategies and guidelines 

identifying opportunities for residential development; 

preparing site specific design briefs and liaising with 

land owners and affected occupants allow the 

architect to respond to character and opportunities/ 

constraints of a site in a creative way. 

The study acknowledged that it would only be 

practical to pursue this philosophy on sites which 

were well served by public transport and cycling and 

pedestrian facilities. 

The report recognised that reducing parking 

standards would have implications for nearby 

streets. Planning agreements and restrictive 

covenants on car ownership of the new occupants 

may be required. Alternatives might include offering 

residents a nearby local authority car park or 

promoting neighbourhood car fleets or car pools. 

Residents parking and rearrangement of on-street 

parking would require careful control. 

The report emphasises that it is important for local 

residents to recognise the benefits of intensification 

of development in their area through its quality (e.g. 

respecting local identity). ‘Community Chest’ reflects 

the idea of supporting community facilities such as 

improving local parks and open spaces, play facilities, 

crime reduction initiatives, sustainable transport 

initiatives and investment in the public realm. In some 

cases, shared parking between residents and 

businesses could be proposed. Pilot projects may be 

appropriate to test attitudes to these solutions. 


Kentmaximising use 

REGENERATION USING COMPULSORY PURCHASE POWERS 

- ROCHESTER RIVERSIDE 

PRINCIPLE 8.1 

In September 1998, the Secretary of State confirmed 

a Compulsory Purchase Order, made under Section 

226 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, for 

35 hectares of the Medway Riverside between 

Rochester and Chatham in North Kent. Rochester- 

Upon-Medway City Council (now Medway Council) 

made the order to regenerate for mixed-use 

development an area comprising vacant and derelict 

land and low value uses, separated from the historic 

centre of Rochester by the North Kent railway line. 

The site had been allocated for housing and 

employment development in the 1992 Local Plan but 

little investment had occurred. The site had poor 

access, was contaminated, at risk of flooding and in a 

multiplicity of ownerships. A report commissioned 

from Chestertons and Llewellyn Davies concluded 

that the Local Authority was likely to be the only 

body able to bring about comprehensive redevelopment 

using Compulsory Purchase powers. A 

number of factors contributed to the success of this 

process. These included:- 

• specific legal and other expertise including 

property advisors and negotiators, steering group 

and Member visits to other regeneration projects; 

• the availability of resources for land acquisition and 

legal/consultants fees; 

• relocation strategy/consultation regarding available 

sites for existing uses; 

• broad public support following wide publicity and 

consultation; 



71


72 

• research into market demand; and 

• the ability to reassure the Secretary of State that 

there would be no planning objections to the 

scheme. This was achieved by the approval of an 

outline planning application for the site for uses 

specified in the 1997 consultation draft of the Local 

Plan Review. This designated the whole site as an 

Action Area within an indicative range of uses. 

8.1.3 Development should also respond to local land-use 

patterns. Within such patterns there should be scope for 

developments to display an appropriate degree of 

individuality and innovation. 

8.1.4 When considering how to make effective use of land, 

the following considerations need to be taken into account: 

• creating and developing identity and local character; 

• safeguarding existing local amenity and preventing 

nuisance; 

• addressing the risk of potential pollution from 

development by using appropriate techniques; 

• minimising the negative impact on vehicles by promoting 

alternatives such as rail travel and cycling; and 

• minimising negative impacts on surrounding 

neighbourhoods. 

8.1.5 Land assembly may be necessary in many cases to 

permit a viable scale of development. At present this can 

be a complex procedure. Compulsory purchase powers 

can be used to secure comprehensive re-developments. 

8.1.6 A range of potential funding opportunities can make 

successful developments possible. The South East 

England Development Agency administers a range of 

grants and there are other funding regimes such as the 

National Lottery, Landfill Tax and European Union which 

provide opportunities to enhance local environments, 

open spaces and features of historic importance. Public 

bodies can also act as underwriters for developments, 

thus reducing risks for private funders. Specialist advice 

may be sought to maximise this support. 

8.1.7 It is possible to secure finance for the 

redevelopment of contaminated sites although interest 

rates may increase in proportion to the perceived risk. 

Risks can be spread through a syndicated loan. Banks may 

take into account the track record, competence and plan 

of action for a given scheme. 

Principle 8.2: The use of recycled land and re-use of 

existing buildings should be encouraged 

8.2 examples of re-cycling and re-use. 

8.2.1 The government has set a target to accommodate 

60% of new households on recycled land by 2016. The 

redevelopment of disused or under-used land usually has 

greater inherent potential for sustainable development 

than greenfield sites. Facilities tend to be more accessible 

and there is greater scope to maximise the potential of 

Combined Heat and Power (see Principle 9.3). 

8.2.2 Some previously used sites have formed valuable 

wildlife habitats which merit protection either in part or in 

whole. (see objective 10). Re-use and re-cycling includes: 

• change of land use and conversion of existing buildings 

• redevelopment of obsolete commercial sites to 

residential use 

• infill or backland development 

• redevelopment of vacant or redundant land 

• maximising the use of existing buildings e.g. Living 

Over The Shop (LOTS). 

8.2.3 Improved construction processes, techniques, 

materials and components for refurbishment could help 

to increase the opportunities for re-use . 


URBAN SPLASH 

PRINCIPLE 8.2 

The Urban Splash Company was set up in 1993 to 

provide well-designed, mixed-use developments in 

Liverpool and Manchester. The idea was to develop 

the vast stock of under-used historic buildings in the 

Cities. The Company now has around £100 million 

worth of projects. They have always worked closely 

with partners to take broader regeneration 

strategies into account. 

A recent project in Liverpool was the conversion of 

the Collegiate School into 96 apartments. The 

building was owned by the local council who invited 

Urban Splash to get involved. Funding from the 

North Liverpool Partnership and SRB was required 

to kick-start the process. Of the £12 million costs, 

English Partnerships contributed £2.5 million, North 

Liverpool Single Regeneration Partnership £245,000 

and English Heritage £100,000. The process took 

around four years but the commitment of the 

partners saw the scheme through. 

Principle 8.3: Contaminated land must be treated in 

an appropriate manner prior to development 

8.3.1 A potential problem often associated with 

previously used land is ground pollution. The three 

components used to assess the need for remediation of 

ground pollution are source (e.g. oil drum), pathway (e.g. 

soil) and receptor (e.g. human). Very few sites are so 

badly contaminated that they cannot be used at all. 

Certain uses are nevertheless compromised and each site 

therefore must be considered on its merits. A thorough 

analysis of the land must be carried out prior to deciding 

on the most appropriate form of development and the 

most effective means of treatment to avoid problems of 

contamination. An ‘integrated pollution control’ approach 


should be promoted. This includes: 

• dealing with the actual and perceived threats to 

health, safety and the environment; 

• keeping or bringing back such land into beneficial use; 

and 

• minimising pressures on greenfield sites. 

Principle 8.4: Principles of increased density and 

diversity should be promoted 

8.3.2 This will inevitably have cost implications for the 

development of contaminated sites but the land, surveys 

and treatment should be seen as inseparable and taken as 

a package when determining viable uses for the land. 

Advice on contamination issues is given in the ‘Desk 

Reference Guide to Potentially Contaminative Land’ 

produced by ISVA (the Society for Valuers and 

Auctioneers) and ‘Model procedures for the Management 

of Contaminated Land’ produced by the Environment 

Agency. Section 57 of the Environment Act 1995 requires 

construction professionals, including developers, 

landowners and local authorities, to investigate and assess 

risks of potentially contaminated sites. 

8.3.3 Potential contamination should be investigated at the 

earliest stage in the planning process so that requirements 

can be identified prior to determining applications. The 

level of investigation required will depend on: 

• the location of the site 

• what the site is to be used for 

• whether it is within an area known for contamination 

• the results of any preliminary investigations which may 

suggest the need for further survey. 

8.3.4 A thorough investigation should identify: 

• the level of contamination following desk and site 

investigation 

• the extent of contamination through a soil survey 

• the type of contaminants 

• the risk of displacing contaminants and affecting 

groundwater 

• the measures needed to protect users 

• the treatment appropriate for the end and future uses 

• whether removal and disposal of contaminants or 

containment in situ should be adopted 

• the appropriate monitoring to check these methods 

have been effective. 

8.3.5 New technology increases the options for dealing 

with contaminated land and may help to assess risks more 

adequately than more traditional methods. 

8.3.6 It is important that appropriate conditions are 

imposed through planning permissions and that 

developers then take these on board. In order to give 

purchasers confidence, it is important to be able to 

demonstrate that contamination has been dealt with 

effectively and comprehensively, with adequate 

monitoring arrangements put in place. 

8.4 notional dense and diverse urban block 

8.4.1 The ‘Urban Villages’ movement 1 offers a valuable 

guide to higher density living through the concept of closegrained, 

self-sufficient and localised communities (see 

Objective 4 - Mixed Use). The main recommendations of 

the Urban Village Movement include: 

• compactness 

• mix of uses and dwelling types 

• range of employment, leisure and community facilities 

• high standards of urban design 

• access to public open space and green places 

• ready access to public transport to reduce pressure on 

land for highway and parking requirements (see 

principle 4.1). 

8.4.1 close grained urban form in Canterbury 


8.4.2 Higher density living will not appeal to everyone nor 

will it be appropriate to every site. However, to ensure 

sustainable development in Kent, increased provision of 

higher density communities is needed to meet future 

development requirements while protecting Kent’s 

valuable countryside. 

8.4.3 High density does not mean poor quality. Canterbury 

is often cited as a high density, yet highly desirable place to 

live and Paris is three times as dense as London yet 

provides an attractive living environment. The tradition of 

high quality ‘tenements’ in places like Edinburgh also shows 



73

how high density in the right context can be successful. 

Higher densities need not lead to overcrowding. Density 

deals with number of dwellings or people per acre, 

whereas overcrowding deals with number of people per 

habitable room. Low-density areas can therefore be 

‘overcrowded’ if the houses are over-occupied. 

people walking into the development. The majority 

of the units do not have frontage vehicular access or 

on-plot parking. During the negotiations for the 

scheme a flexible approach was adopted for the 

highway design which has allowed a high quality and 

intimate environment to be achieved. 


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8.4.2 dense living in Paris. 

8.4.4 The disposition of land uses should complement the 

benefits of compactness. Providing facilities for work, rest 

and play all within walking distance reduces the need to 

travel whilst increasing the sense of locality and community. 

The correct balance of diversity is important to avoid 

uninspiring environments dominated by any one use. 

8.4.5 The density of a development should respect local 

character and respond to existing densities in different 

locations such as brownfield, greenfield, central, peripheral, 

town and village. This does not mean simply replicating 

surrounding layouts but drawing clues from these 

surroundings as to the range of new densities that may be 

appropriate. This range should be defined for each locality. 

An appropriate mixture of densities to increase legibility and 

create choices in an expanding housing market should 

be encouraged. The ‘UK Strategy for Sustainable 

Development’ comments on density as, ‘a dynamic process, 

but the limits and thresholds must be understood…’ 

INCREASED DENSITY: WYE, ASHFORD. 

PRINCIPLE 8.4 

Environ Homes have established a retirement 

scheme developed within a previously used site in 

the centre of the village of Wye, Ashford. This high 

density scheme comprises a mixture of semidetached 

and terraced flats and cottages. The 

properties are arranged in two quads around formal 

gardens. The cottages have small rear courtyard 

gardens, and there is also a shared croquet lawn and 

club house. Communal parking is provided near the 

entrance to the site where it can be overlooked by 

The development is characterised by high quality 

materials and finishes and by attractive planting. An 

annual maintenance fee is paid by the residents in 

order to manage all external repairs and landscape 

maintenance (see principle 3.4). 

Principle 8.5: The development should add to the 

quality of the environment and the surrounding area 

8.5.1 The land use of a given site should never be 

considered in isolation from its immediate or further 

neighbours. Schemes can mutually benefit each other by 

complimenting the range of uses within a district. The 

uses on a site often directly affect the adjoining property. 

This should be seen as a positive aspect and developed to 

full potential creating cross-linkages and connections 

between new sites and existing situations. 

8.5.2 Good environmental practice is needed on all sites 

not only to reduce costs but also nuisance. During 

construction, the impact of potential disturbance on the 

surrounding area should be considered. Examples include: 

• equipment and traffic: noise levels and vibration 

• mess: dust, spoil, stock heaps 

• waste: burning is generally unacceptable 

• time: certain working times for a variety of trades 

• lighting: position, direction, glare, intrusion, lightpollution 

• management: workers and site processes 

• security: plant and tools should be secured to avoid 

opportunities for crime. 


8.5.2 construction impacts 

8.5.3 Formal environmental management systems such as 

ISO 140016 are beginning to be adopted in construction. 

LUTON MILLENNIUM GREEN 

PRINCIPLE 8.2 AND 8.5 

Luton Millennium Green is located in a densely built 

up residential area near the centre of Chatham. The 

Green was created from 7 acres of disused 

allotment using a Millennium Green Grant and 

funding from a range of sources including English 


Partnerships, Rochester-Upon-Medway City Council 

and Medway Housing Society. Groundwork 

Medway-Swale led the development and 

implementation of the scheme. 

The site has an active recreational area with seating, 

space for events, toddlers play area, a kick-about 

area and a conservation area for wildlife. A network 

of footpaths lead around the site with the main 

routes having a surface suitable for access by people 

with disabilities. Community involvement has been 

an important component of the project and indeed 

the original impetus for the project came from local 

residents. 

The project demonstrates the potential to reuse 

urban land in a positive way for the benefit of the 

local community and to enhance the local urban 

environment. It also demonstrates the scope to 

secure funding for environmental improvements that 

will be necessary to ensure the holistic regeneration 

of urban areas. 

Principle 8.6: Developments must ensure the 

protection of privacy and amenity for a variety of new 

and existing occupiers 

8.6.1 Many of our most attractive and sought after homes 

in towns and villages were built in close proximity to one 

another, providing a human scale and intimacy which 

many people find sociable, comfortable and private. 

8.6.2 Most modern housing estates, often built to ‘privacy 

standards’, nevertheless fail to ameliorate feelings of 

overlooking and visual intrusion, demonstrating that 

distance alone is a very crude measure of privacy. In new 

development, the aim should be to achieve the qualities 

that people find attractive in traditional settlements, using 

variation of form, space, ancillary buildings, garages, 

planting and boundary walls to create high quality 

environments and to achieve a more efficient and 

sustainable use of land. 

8.6.3 This is not to promote uniformly high densities. The 

context of the development is a critical factor, as 

demonstrated below: 

8.6.3 some existing densities in Kent 

VILLAGE VILLAGE TOWN TOWN 

EDGE CENTRE EDGE CENTRE 

Milstead: Smarden: Maidstone: Dartford: 

E.g.: 28m E.g.: 12m E.g.: 16m E.g.: 10m 

A range of contextual examples showing the variation in sample ‘privacy 

distances’ from spacious rural to dense urban situations (distances between 

windows of rear facing habitable rooms of neighbouring dwellings). 

8.6.4 Local context will help determine the appropriate 

form and density of development. It is important, 

however, to ensure that the privacy of existing residents 

is safeguarded when assessing the impact of new 

development. As a guide, a distance of 21 metres 

between the unobstructed windows of habitable rooms 

in the private rear facades of dwellings has been found to 

be generally acceptable. This dimension may, however, 

vary according to the surrounding context. 

8.6.4 minimum separation distance between new and existing properties 


8.6.5 In finely grained developments it may be necessary 

to group certain activities to avoid nuisance. Potentially 

noisy activities will need to be carefully designed and 

noise attenuation measures may need to be introduced to 

ensure that the risk of nuisance is minimised. There 

should be an onus on developers and occupiers to comply 

with these conditions. 

8.6.6 Within new development visual privacy can be 

achieved by a range of methods other than simply the 

distance between buildings or spaces. Individual units 

should be designed to prevent overlooking neighbouring 

private spaces and windows by employing the following 

methods where appropriate: 

8.6.6 i position 

adjoining units can be staggered, extensions or 

protrusions placed to block overlooking views 



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8.6.6 ii orientation 

adjoining blank gable walls facing private space offer 

enclosure without overlooking problems 

8.6.6 iii elevational treatment 

views out of buildings are important but need not be 

uniformly applied. Upper storey windows may be used to 

allow daylight to enter yet have restricted views outward 

8.6.6 iv location and detailing of openings relative to space 

placing public external spaces (like the footpaths in the 

diagram) away from private internal spaces increases the 

cone of vision and so the area in which overlooking can 

occur. The size of window opening and pane size should 

respond to the potential of being overlooked. 

8.6.6 v screening 

Three factors interrelated in good screening are the 

relative position of the onlooker, the screening device and 

the element being screened. Screening devices could be 

trees and foliage, fencing, walls etc. 

8.6.6 vi changes in ground level 

when combined with solid built forms like a roof, level 

changes can allow views and light without overlooking 

and consequent lack of privacy 


NOAK BRIDGE, ESSEX 

PRINCIPLE 8.6 

8.6 Noak Bridge high density area 

Noak Bridge is a village north of Basildon which was 

developed to a relatively high density during the 

1970’s. It is based on traditional Essex vernacular 

with the following key features:- 

• network of pedestrian routes; 


• connected housing, often abutting the footpaths 

and sometimes served only by such footpaths; 

• relaxed parking standards (with scope for 

additional parking at the rear); 

• high quality design; 

• small rear gardens; 

• flats placed on corner sites to allow double 

fronted elevations and smaller gardens; 

• social as well as private housing; and 

• extensive landscaping and distinctive central open 

space. 

An Article 4 Direction has been established to avoid 

insensitive future changes being made. 

The development provides an attractive 

environment for residents where the car does not 

dominate the street scene and residents can walk 

safely between neighbourhoods. Noak Bridge is a 

popular area suggesting that people are prepared to 

make trade-offs between their individual 

requirements relating to parking or private amenity 

space and the overall quality of a development. 

REFERENCES: 

1. Urban Villages Forum Annual Review 1996-97, Urban Villages Forum, 1997 


MAXIMISING USE 

• Have the site’s innate characteristics 

been fully utilised to maximise sustainable 

benefits? 

• Do all areas within the site have a 

designated primary use? 

• Are cars appropriately incorporated to 

avoid excessive use of land for car parking 

only? 

• Does the scheme respond positively to 

local land-use patterns by connecting and 

integrating as appropriate? 

• Does the scheme make effective use of 

land in that location? 

• Do existing buildings form part of the 

proposals? If so, is their re-use 

appropriate? 

• Has the site been appropriately checked 

for contamination? If so, how is the 

contamination to be dealt with? 

• Is the density of the scheme appropriate 

to the location? 

• Do the land uses encourage diversity 

within localities? 

• Have potential disturbances during and 

after construction been fully resolved? 

• Do the land uses complement all other 

appropriate objectives? 

• Does each unit within the development 

have an appropriate amount of protected 

private space? 




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esources 




9 

Conserve natural resources and minimise pollution in the layout, 

construction and ongoing use of development 

Principle 9.1: The environmental sustainability of all construction materials should be considered 

resources 

80 

9.1.1 Sustainability is concerned with the conservation of 

the earth’s resources. The construction industry, by its 

nature, consumes large quantities of materials and sends 

a considerable amount of material to landfill. The 

extraction of raw materials can cause irreversible damage 

to the landscape, natural habitats and ecosystems. Most 

materials use a significant amount of energy in their 

production and transportation and may cause pollution 

and secondary damage which demands remedial action. 

9.1.1 sustainable materials in good design 

9.1.2 The lifecycle environmental cost of all construction 

materials must be considered, including the costs of 

extracting raw materials, the renewable nature of raw 

materials, energy costs in the manufacture of materials 

and the environmental costs of transportation to site. 

There is an increasing amount of research available on the 

9.1 sustainable building features 

specific environmental properties, energy costs and 

longevity of materials. ‘Sustainable Settlements: a guide 

for planners, designers and developers’ 1 offers a good 

basic evaluation. The Building Research Establishment and 

CIRIA can also provide more detailed data on the 

environmental sustainability of construction materials and 

components, and organisations such as the Forestry 

Stewardship Council can provide information on 

sustainable sources of timber. 

Principle 9.2: Proposals should prevent the inefficient 

use of materials and energy on site by adopting the 

protocol of the ‘3 'R's’: reduce, re-use and recycle 

REDUCTION OF WASTE 

9.2.1 The amount of wasted materials on site can be 

reduced by introducing regular audits to monitor and 

control site activities more closely, for example reviewing 

materials ordering and site practices to prevent damage 

and cross-contamination. Surveys have found that 

detailed attention to the quantity of materials purchased 

and the way that these are off-loaded, labelled and stored 

then subsequently handled on site, can significantly 

reduce the amount of materials wasted. Wherever 

possible the use of packaging and non-returnable pallets 

should be avoided, recycled or re-used. 

RECOVERY OF MATERIALS FOR RE-USE 

9.2.2 Where any site clearance or demolition is involved, 

recovery of materials can be maximised by separating out 



those of similar type to prevent cross-contamination. 

Using disassembly processes that prevent damage enables 

any useable materials to be salvaged and re-used where 

they are of sufficient quality. 

9.2.3 In road construction, acceptable materials may 

include granular materials arising from the site and asphalt 

planings. Suitable salvaged materials which are of 

equivalent specification, in good order and appropriate 

for the location include kerbs, channels, gully grates and 

pots, manhole and inspection covers. In building 

construction, aggregate may be formed from the 

demolition of existing buildings on the same site for most 

effective re-use (see also Technical Appendix Section 1). 

or become contaminated. This will be particularly 

important in the case of commercial operations that can 

generate a lot of waste. Provision should be made in the 

design of homes for adequate refuse storage not only for 

disposal containers used by the relevant local authority 

but preferably allowing for separation of waste for 

recycling. The storage area should be no more than 25m 

from the point of collection. 

RE-USE AND RECYCLING OF MATERIALS 

9.2.4 recycling bins integrated into the building 

9.2.4 The availability of local facilities for receiving and 

processing recyclable construction materials should be 

investigated and such materials used wherever practicable. 

Processing on-site or locally off-site, such as hot 

processing of bituminous materials and aggregates, can be 

carried out on natural materials, demolition materials or 

planings to reduce imported materials. In-situ processing 

techniques reduce transportation requirements. This can 

also improve progress on site and reduce local traffic 

congestion. Asphalt planings from roads may be sent to an 

asphalt plant for incorporation into new products. 

9.2.5 Developers, designers, suppliers and subcontractors 

should take positive steps to maximise 

sustainable practices in design, construction and usage. 

For example audits of the distances materials are hauled, 

the amount of materials used and re-used on-site, recycled 

or taken to land fill off-site and the efficiency in the 

organisation of the work on-site, could be assessed. 

9.2.6 New development should also offer facilities to 

encourage those using or occupying buildings to reuse 

and recycle. Recycling facilities should be provided on site 

or close to new developments in a manner which does 

not cause nuisance. Provision should be made for the 

storage of recyclable waste so that it does not deteriorate 


9.2.6 recycling points 

9.2.7 The provision of allotments and gardens that allow 

for the composting and growing of food produce should 

be encouraged. Public awareness campaigns should also 

be promoted to increase understanding of the need to 

recycle. Whilst it is recognised that holistic re-use and 

recycling of construction and household materials 

requires a change in the public perception of resource 

recycling, this should remain a long term objective 

achieved through education and shared good practice 

from local authorities. 

COMMUNITY COMPOSTING 

PRINCIPLE 9.2 

Composting kitchen and green waste instead of 

dumping it in a landfill site has been the response of 

a small east Kent parish over the past two years. 

Some 1,700 kilos are being collected weekly by a 

mobile composting scheme run in the area of Herne 

Hill, near Whitstable. The scheme, which is part 

funded by the Landfill Tax, collects bins of kitchen 

waste from 80 households each Monday. This is 

mixed with shredded garden waste and then 

composted at a farm in the neighbourhood. Herne 

Hill Composting believe strongly in small scale 

composting below 1,000 tonnes, which is often 

exempt from licensing. It would like to see waste 

being processed on farms and then used to enhance 

the farms' soil and thus avoid unnecessary lorry 

movements. By using the putrescible kitchen waste, 

Kentresources 



81


82 

which produces dangerous methane gas in landfill 

sites, this scheme is providing a valuable 

environmental service. It is one of 115 throughout 

the UK. Kent's biggest scheme is at Wye in Kent, 

which collects waste from 700 households weekly. 

Principle 9.3: Proposals should incorporate energy 

conservation features 

9.3.1 Energy conservation in new development can range 

from simple planning and design principles (such as 

maximising and retaining natural heat and light) to 

sophisticated technologies that can generate sufficient 

power to transfer electricity back into the National Grid. 

Energy conservation reduces the demand for precious 

fossil fuels and reduces the release of environmentally 

polluting carbon dioxide and methane gases. 

9.3.2 Insulation can significantly reduce fuel bills for any 

building. Protection from heat loss through walls, floor, 

and roof and the prevention of drafts through windows 

and doors are most effectively included in the initial design 

stages. Building Regulations now lay down more rigorous 

demands for insulation, safety for occupants and energy 

conservation. They are being continuously updated with a 

view to improving the thermal quality and sustainability of 

the built fabric. The most up to date Regulations should be 

referred to for any proposed built development. 

9.3.2 insulation in a breathing wall 

9.3.3 Timers and thermostats to control heat, hot water 

and light are an inexpensive way of saving energy. Building 

management systems in larger buildings operate on 

similar principles and can result in significant cost savings. 

9.3.4 A source of information and advice is the 

DETR/Building Research Establishment's Energy 

Efficiency Office, who also illustrate the potential financial 

savings to businesses and householders of adopting 

energy saving practices in both new and existing buildings 

(Environment and Energy Helpline 0800 585794). 

PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN 

9.3.5 Passive solar design takes advantage of natural light 

and heat from the sun and uses air movement for 

ventilation. This reduces or negates the need for artificial 

light, heat, cooling or ventilation. It can be achieved with 

no additional cost to a development and can result in 

considerable cost savings 2 . 

9.3.5 sculptural passive solar design in Bluewater 

9.3.6 Layouts should maximise east-west building 

alignments and orientate most of the glazing to within 30 o 

of due south. Plans should also be designed to avoid 

overshadowing and minimise shading from obstructions 

to sunlight (such as other dwellings and coniferous trees). 

Other measures can include:- 

• locating taller buildings to the north of a site; 

• locating car parking and garages to the north of 

housing; and 

• using building form or landscaping as buffering from 

wind and designing out potential ‘wind tunnels’ 

between buildings. 

9.3.7 In residential development the actual form of 

housing can have a substantial impact on energy efficiency. 

Detached houses, particularly bungalows, tend to be less 

energy efficient, with the greatest surface area exposed to 

the elements. Assuming the same floor area and 

orientation, bulkier forms of development such as flats, 

retain heat better, while terraces provide some crossinsulation 

at a lower density. 

9.3.8 Designers will have several factors to consider in 

the layout of the development, many of which are 

discussed in this Guide. Solar gain should complement 

these. It is important however that buildings relate to 

each other as a cohesive whole avoiding monotony in the 

orientation of the buildings. 

9.3.9 Buildings designed today dictate the pattern of 

energy consumption of the future. It is important to invest 

in energy-saving technology now in order to reduce this 

demand. It is easier and more economical to consider this 

within the initial design process than as an add-on. A 

number of recent individual houses and small 

developments with zero or low energy use offer 

examples of good practice often within a limited budget, 

such as the Hockerton Housing project described below. 

To improve the thermal efficiency of an individual building, 

the design may include: 

• a south-facing conservatory or atrium buffer zone to 

trap heat; 

• insulation to the north elevation through reduced glazing 

location of lower occupancy rooms such as bathrooms 

or garages or setting the building partially into the 

ground; 

• a compact plan form to reduce the external wall surface; 


• glazing part of the roof, particularly on very tight sites 

with limited natural light; 

• well-insulated roof and walls, and good quality double 

glazing; and 

• high thermal mass to retain heat, if this is appropriate 

for the use pattern of the building. 

9.3.10 Mechanical ventilation, air-conditioning and lighting 

can incur major energy loads in commercial buildings. 

Overheating may be a particular problem, but can be 

overcome with screens or shutters, overhanging eaves 

and windows which open. These features allow occupants 

to control their internal environment rather than through 

a centrally controlled heating or air conditioning system. 

Buildings which are shallow in plan or provide atria offer 

greater use of natural ventilation and light. 

9.3.11 Speculative developers may disregard the energy 

use of a commercial building as they will not be the eventual 

occupiers responsible for future costs. The building user, 

who will have a vested interest in the durability and running 

cost of the building, should be consulted early in the design 

process 3 . Offices designed for the Charities Aid Foundation 

under a pre-lease arrangement with developer Rouse at 

King’s Hill involved all parties in a series of meetings and 

allowed the requirements such as low running costs to be 

designed-in early on. The building gained a ‘very good’ 

rating from its ‘BREEAM for Offices’ evaluation. 

9.3.8 individual building 




83

ACTIVE SOLAR TECHNOLOGY 


84 

9.3.11 Acclaimed design for Charities Aid Foundation, King’s Hill by Nicholas 

Hare Architects 

An alternative form of energy generation which may be 

viable for new developments is the use of wind turbines, 

as at Hockerton Housing (see case study). 


SEVENOAKS FIRE STATION 

OBJECTIVE 9 

The proposal by the Kent and Medway Towns Fire 

Authority to build a first floor extension above a 

single storey brick wing for occupation by the Fire 

Safety Office provided an ideal opportunity to use 

many ‘green’ techniques and materials. A strict 

deadline was in operation in order that the works 

would be completed before the end of the financial 

year so a speedy construction method was called for. 

The fire station extension provides a super-insulated, 

lightweight construction with minimal running costs 

to the client and makes use of: 

• masonite beams and roof and floor boarding 

produced from waste wood materials; 

• wall insulation giving U value of just under 0.2w/m 2 

and ‘breathing wall’ construction; 

• timber framed, argon filled thermally efficient 

double glazing; 

• organic stains and paints; and 

• six litre flushing toilets (lowest available at the time 

in UK). 

9.3 Sevenoaks Fire Station 

9.3.12 Zen Aquasol duo solar panels (Construction Resources) 

9.3.12 Active solar technology involves the use of 

collector panels to capture the sun's heat and then 

transfer it to either water or oil for heating (solar panels) 

or to generate electricity (photovoltaic panels). PPG Note 

22, 1994 states that even the UK has enough sunlight for 

solar heating to be viable. Grouped solar heating systems 

have the advantage of levelling out demand, as low use at 

a particular time from one occupier can compensate for 

the use of another. Solar panels located directly next to 

the area they are serving suffer less from heat loss and are 

therefore more efficient. Outdoor swimming pools often 

follow this principle. 

9.3.13 There are many examples of single dwellings which 

have been designed according to sustainability principles, 

but these ideas have not yet been translated to a mass 

housebuilding market. The development of the BRE’s 

Integer House (‘Intelligent Green’) is set to challenge that 

as it is intended as a prototype for the sustainable house of 

the future. It maximises use of prefabrication, which is a 

particularly sustainable form of construction, and forms 

the basis of larger scale Integer housing development 

currently under construction in Sandwell. 

PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS 

9.3.13 ‘ ES solar’ photovoltaic panels (Construction Resources) 

9.3.14 Photovoltaic panels can be placed on the ground 

or attached to walls or roofs. Costs are gradually falling 

but are still some way from being cost-effective for the 

mass market. A large number of panels are likely to be 

necessary to fully power a house and so should be taken 

into account at the design stage. Surplus electricity can be 

sold back to the National Grid. 

COMPUTER OPERATED SYSTEMS 

9.3.14 Computer systems can be installed to monitor, 

operate and indicate consumption of energy, water and 

other resources and thereby save the occupier money. 

They may also adjust heating controls and blinds 

according to the weather. 




BOUNDARY HOUSE 

OBJECTIVE 9 

9.3 Boundary House 

At ‘Boundary House’, architect Michael Winter has 

risen to the challenge of designing a contemporary, 

attractive and environmentally friendly home. The 

house was designed to fell as few trees as possible 

with a plan form that navigates its way through its 

wooded site in Tunbridge Wells. 

In selecting materials for the house, Winter considered 

cost as a factor alongside the environmental impact of 

the materials, such as energy used in their 

manufacture and scarcity. The structure and cladding 

are timber, with second-hand timber flooring used 

internally. No preservatives were used, and organic 

stains and paints were chosen wherever possible. The 

rainwater collection and storage system is one of the 

many resource-saving features. 

The house is raised above ground to minimise the 

impact of the foundations and to allow it to ‘touch 

the ground lightly’. 

COMBINED HEAT AND POWER (CHP) 

9.3.15 CHP uses the heat created in the generation of 

electricity to provide heat for another building or even an 

entire community. This is particularly effective when 

building uses are balanced between daytime and evening 

use (for example housing and offices) or within hospitals. 

CHP is a highly efficient and affordable means of 

producing heat, but ideally should be planned into the 

development early on. Its incorporation should increase 

as a greater number of mixed-use, higher density 

developments emerge. Proposed schemes should be the 

subject of an environmental impact assessment with a 

view to addressing any impact on local air quality. 

HOCKERTON HOUSING PROJECT 

OBJECTIVE 9 

9.3 a (Hockerton Housing Project) 

The Hockerton Housing Project illustrates that 

ecological housing can also be affordable. The 

terrace of five earth-sheltered dwellings was 

designed by eco-architects Brenda and Robert Vale, 

and is run by a co-operative formed by the 

residents. The houses are self-sufficient in their use 

of resources and release no CO2 or atmospheric 

pollution. Design features include: 

• high quality insulation 

• a solar conservatory on the southern aspect to 

maximise solar gain; 

• earth-sheltering to the north to prevent radiant 

heat loss and limit exposure to wind; 

• an internal temperature year-round of 19-21 o C 

without need for a heating system; 

• plans for all electrical energy to come from a 

renewable, non-polluting source located on site 

(wind turbine) and photovoltaic panels; 

• water demand to be met on site, and a floating 

reed-bed system used for sewage treatment ; 

• recycling of organic waste products through 

composting facilities on site; 

• car-sharing/pooling system; and 

• encouragement of a diversity of plant and animal life. 

9.3 b (Hockerton Housing Project) 


Principle 9.4: Proposals should be supported by a 

sustainability statement 

9.4.1 A sustainability statement indicates how resource 

management and other principles have been taken into 

account in the design and implementation of a proposed 

development. Sustainable practices should, as far as 

possible, minimise the use of scarce resources (including 

water and energy-intensive materials), facilitate recycling 

and re-use, ensure safe disposal and future low 

maintenance. In addition to submitting sustainability 

statements developers should consider appointing a suitably 

qualified person to implement and monitor the actions set 

out in the sustainability statement and to audit activities 

throughout the design and implementation phases. 

9.4.2 Whilst sustainability statements will become a more 

important tool as the size of the development and/or its 

likely environmental impact increases, some criteria will 

be valid for any development. The DETR’s document 

‘UK Strategy for Sustainable Development (1999)’ 

presents Government’s strategy for sustainable 

construction for the UK. 



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Principle 9.5: An evaluation of the environmental 

performance of a development (such as BREEAM) 

should be considered as part of the design process 

9.5.1 A comprehensive assessment of the environmental 

performance of a building should go beyond the more 

conventional evaluation of energy efficiency. One of the 

objectives of BREEAM (Building Research Establishment 

Environmental Assessment Method) is to encourage a 

reduction in the environmental impact of a building 

through a recognition of the commercial benefits of such 

considerations. This can be applied to houses, shops, 

offices and industrial units. The approach is holistic, 

looking at greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable 

transport, water usage, noise pollution and waste 

recycling to name but a few considerations. BREEAM also 

encourages the use of local labour to help boost the local 

economy and reduce the need to travel. 

9.5.2 In 1996 government ministers agreed that BREEAM / 

BREEAM for Offices 1998 should be undertaken on all new 

government buildings and major refurbishment. The DETR 

has also produced extensive guidelines in ‘Towards More 

Sustainable Construction: Green Guide for Managers on 

the Government Estate’ including everything from assessing 

the whole life cost of the building, such as its running and 

maintenance costs, recyclability and eventual demolition, to 

its lighting specifications. This initiative runs alongside the 

Egan report on ‘Rethinking Construction’ (1998). 

Principle 9.6: Design should demonstrate flexibility to 

allow for re-use and adaptation of buildings over time 

9.6.1 The Building Research Establishment (BRE) is 

updating its environmental evaluation to encourage 

flexibility in design so that buildings can be adapted to 

changing uses and users as well as alternative sources of 

energy and new resource-saving technologies. These are 

likely to become more financially viable as their use and 

understanding of their properties grow. 

9.6.2 The challenge of creating adaptable buildings at a 

higher density has inspired a renewed interest in housing 

design, illustrated by some of the development at the 

Greenwich Millennium Village and exhibitions and 

competitions, such as the RIBA’s ‘Concept House’. 

Designs illustrated open plan spaces which occupiers can 

adapt to their own needs, and isolated rooms or even 

temporary structures which could be used for office, 

storage or extra bedroom accommodation. 

9.6.3 Many older buildings illustrate the potential for 

adaptability that reflects the dynamics of social and 

commercial change. Houses in urban areas have often 

been used successfully as offices and shops and then 

restored back to their original use. 

9.6.4 Large scale, deep plan offices and commercial 

buildings can present more of a problem of re-use when 

the original use becomes redundant. Buildings should be 

designed to allow for future expansion rather than provide 

unnecessary accommodation at the start. This may be 

particularly appropriate in the case of schools, where 

there may be a real possibility that demand will increase 

over time. Buildings which are broken up into smaller units 

and which have a shallow floor plan allow for easier 

subdivision to accommodate changes of use or occupier. 

Principle 9.7: All redundant buildings, regardless of 

their architectural quality, should be considered as a 

valuable resource for potential re-use 

9.7.1 There are many examples of historic buildings that 

have been successfully converted to new uses. Buildings 

which are listed or in a conservation area are granted a 

degree of protection from demolition but any existing 

building could be seen as a valuable material resource. 

Buildings of no perceived heritage value have the 

advantage of allowing more radical and unconstrained 

alteration. Less glamorous uses such as small industrial 

units, mechanical and storage facilities still require 

accommodation to which a building may well be suited. 

However, the designer will need to weigh up whether 

adaptation may actually consume more resources than a 

new building and whether there are other constraints 

such as the impact of associated works or access 

arrangements. UWE/LGMB ‘Sustainable Settlements’ 

offers guidance on appropriateness of certain building 

types for new uses (p166-7). Re-use of buildings in a rural 

environment may be inappropriate or unsustainable in 

other respects, and applicants will need to have regard to 

relevant Structure Plan and Local Plan policies. 

9.7.2 There may also be means of improving the energy 

efficiency of the building, as some older properties can be 

thermally inefficient. 


SUNLIGHT CENTRE, GILLINGHAM 

PRINCIPLE 9.7 

9.7 Sunlight Centre (Chris Tubbs) 

“Competitions create possibilities for ‘nowhere sites’ 

to be given a new lease of life…” 

(Rev Andrew Mawson, competition panel member). 

The conversion of the Sunlight Laundry has provided 

Gillingham with an exciting new building and a much 

needed community facility. It was the result of an 

architectural competition run by the Kent Architecture 

Centre and Gillingham Borough Council (now 

Medway Council). The winning design by Morrison 

Brink Architecture offers “a flexible, adaptable and 

innovative approach …[which]… succeeded in 

conserving and enhancing the existing qualities while 

skilfully improving the presence on the street”. 


The project was part of a regeneration initiative for 

North Gillingham. The significance of the Sunlight 

Centre was that the brief which outlined the 

proposed function of the building, its design and how 

it might be run was based on a one day community 

workshop in which 700 people took part, including 

school children. Emphasis was placed on ensuring 

low maintenance and running costs and promoting 

the concept of sustainable lifestyles. The building’s 

core functions are: 

• One Stop Shop/information point 

• Community Centre 

• Health Centre (and associated facilities). 

south-east 6 . Water abstraction may not be apparent 

close to the site, but will have an impact elsewhere 

in the region that cannot be ignored. Water 

companies now produce Water Resource Plans to 

address the issue of forward planning. 

Conversely, serious flooding in some areas is 

predicted. As more land is developed, impermeable 

concrete and tarmac surfaces can direct large 

volumes of rainwater into drains and rivers that can 

no longer cope with the flow, as opposed to draining 

away naturally into the soil 7 . The Environment 

Agency has also stressed the importance of avoiding 

development on flood plains 8 . 

The building provides flexible spaces to 

accommodate a wide variety of facilities such as 

training, education and economic welfare, and has 

the capacity to adapt over time to the changing 

needs of the community. 


CAPSTONE OAST YOUTH HOSTEL 

PRINCIPLE 9.7 

9.7.1 Capstone Oast Youth Hostel (Medway Council) 

The neglected Capstone oasthouse was in use as a hay 

store when Rochester-upon-Medway Council (now 

Medway Council) decided to restore it and put it to 

better use. Its location halfway along the scenic Pilgrims 

Way in an area popular for walking and cycling made it 

an ideal site for a youth hostel. The Youth Hostel 

Association now leases the building from the Council. 

WATER 

The demand for water in the UK as elsewhere, has 

increased substantially over the last 40 years. 

Household water consumption alone has nearly 

doubled since 1961. The greater the volume of 

water abstracted from rivers, lakes and 

underground aquifers 4 , the less is available to dilute 

pollution and to protect essential wildlife and 

ecological habitats. 

Although efficiency has improved over recent years 

due to leakage control and water savings, the 

National Rivers Authority (now part of the 

Environment Agency) forecast in 1994 that 

increased demand could lead to a serious shortfall 

in water supply to some areas, including Kent 5 . This 

problem will become a significant issue with the 

increased number of households anticipated in the 

Principle 9.8: Sustainable water management 

techniques should be incorporated into design and 

infrastructure proposals 

9.8.1 Developers should take a long-term view of the 

impact of their proposals on future water consumption 

and how changes to the water table will affect the local 

landscape and natural habitats. They should consult with 

water companies and the local authority. 

9.8.2 Water companies have been instructed to put in place 

water efficiency plans, which include leakage control 

policies, metering of supplies to encourage water-saving and 

the provision of advice to the public. These are measures to 

which developers should also respond. According to PPG 

12, water availability should be a consideration for the local 

authority in its development plan. 


9.8.3 New development should allow sufficient natural 

drainage to prevent depletion of the water table in the 

locality. The use of block paving and other permeable 

surfaces should be encouraged for large areas such as car 

parks. Storm water control systems can be included in 

these areas by providing a sub-system below the surface 

which captures and slowly releases rainfall into the 

ground, or it can be pumped out for re-use in garden 

irrigation or for flushing toilets. 

9.8.4 Construction sites use a vast quantity of water. 

Developers can make a direct contribution to water 

conservation by preventing wasteful use of water on-site 

and re-using water wherever possible. 

Principle 9.9: Proposals should provide opportunities 

for the protection of water supplies by harnessing 

rainfall 

9.9.1 Rainwater utilisation systems collect rainwater from 

the roof of a building for use in flushing toilets or garden 

irrigation. This reduces water consumption by at least 

35% and helps reduce storm water run-off to sewers. 

While water for gardening requires only filtering before 

use, it would usually be treated using ultra-violet or other 

methods to eliminate contaminants for use in toilets. The 

required water storage facilities can readily be included in 

the design of a new building. 



87

Principle 9.10: Development should provide a range of 

water-efficient appliances and systems to reduce 

water usage 

9.10.1 There are many simple measures that can be 

incorporated into new homes, commercial and public 

buildings to significantly reduce water consumption and 

save money. Approximately a third of domestic water 

supply is used for flushing toilets, yet there are several 

water-saving options available. Water Supply (Water 

Fittings) Regulations (July 1999) state toilets in the UK 

must not exceed 6 litres per flush, but there are numerous 

existing toilets which can hold far more than that. Dual 

flush systems can also be introduced to older cysterns. 

investment to reduce water use. Recent developments in 

washing machine technology are proving increasingly 

marketable, and new houses that include fitted kitchens 

could incorporate such appliances. The 1999 Regulations 

place maximum water usage volumes on new washing 

machines and dishwashers. 

9.10.9 Greywater utilisation systems require a secondary 

plumbing system to collect water from handbasins, baths and 

showers for use in garden watering and toilet flushing. There 

are several systems on the market. Water use in swimming 

pools and garden sprinklers should also be controlled. 


88 

9.10.2 Cistern dams can be placed in the cistern to 

reduce the amount of water used per flush by 1-3 litres. 

9.10.3 Low flush toilets as low as 5 litres are more 

common in Europe and the USA. 

9.10.4 Waterless and composting toilets are more frequently 

used in rural locations with no main sewer, but have been 

successfully installed in several new dwellings in the UK, 

including the Hockerton Community (see Case Study). 

9.10.5 Waterless urinals can offer a substantial cost saving 

in offices and commercial buildings especially those that 

have a metered water supply, as approximately 20% of 

water supplied to offices is drained through flushing urinals. 

Waterless urinals are suitable in all types of building, and 

come in the form of deodorising pads which can be fitted 

to existing urinals, or through siphonic traps which contain 

a barrier fluid. Estimated savings are between £100 and 

£250 per urinal per year. Worldwide Washrooms Ltd, 

based in Cliftonville, Kent won the Environmental 

Innovation Category in the Environment Awards for Kent 

Business in 1997 with its waterless urinal system. 

9.10.6 Water tap controls are an inexpensive and 

effective means of reducing water consumption, and 

saving energy through reducing hot water use. A dripping 

tap can cost up to £40 annually. Spray taps produce a 

spray or mist which can more than halve water flow. Push 

top taps switch off automatically after a pre-set time 

delay. These are already widely used. Electronic sensor 

taps work on the same principle. 

9.10.6 Aqua water-saving taps (Construction Resources) 

9.10.7 Shower restrictors can halve water use by adding 

a flow valve to the shower hose. It should be noted that 

power showers are particularly water intensive. 

9.10.8 Water-economic domestic appliances such as 

washing machines and dishwashers, which account for on 

average 16% of water consumption, offer a simple 

9.10.9 The WISY Filter Collector filters rainwater run-off from roofs directly 

to the downpipe for piping to a storage tank (Construction Resources) 

9.10.9 Water companies can take the lead in 

demonstrating the benefits of water-efficient development 

by providing advice and support to developers and 

occupiers. Much of the potential for saving water cannot 

be realised without behavioural changes on the part of the 

consumer. Metering of water supplies provides a financial 

incentive for this and has proved successful in pilot studies 

by reducing demand, although there are the social issues 

of financial hardship and health to consider. The UK is one 

of the few countries in Europe that does not practise 

water metering universally, although water authorities are 

now equipping all new houses with meters, and it is likely 

that from April 2000 all household customers will have the 

right to opt for a free meter. 


CREST HOMES WATER CONSERVATION INITIATIVE 

PRINCIPLE 9.10 

Crest Homes teamed up with a Kent company, Water 

Dynamics, for new homes in Shenley, Hertfordshire 

where customers were offered a special plumbing 

package with a greywater recycling system. 

Crest also aim to educate householders about the 

importance of water conservation through 

information on reducing consumption and new 

water saving devices and technology. Their 

showhouse gardens are designed to be water 

efficient, with drought tolerant plants and turf, and 

include a micro irrigation system. 


Principle 9.11: Development should protect the 

quality of water resources by appropriate treatment 

of sewage and run-off, and through use of reed beds 

where practical 

9.11.1 New development should promote the use of 

reed beds where appropriate to treat domestic sewage. 

Reed beds are a proven and effective means of treatment 

which comprise of water, gravel and aquatic plants that 

produce bacteria which breakdown household sewage. 

They require little maintenance, and are particularly 

useful where there are constraints to the use of 

conventional sewage systems. ICI are amongst the 

companies that have used reed beds to purify waste. 

Other means of on-site sewerage treatment may also be 

appropriate, particularly for large commercial operations. 

Principle 9.12: New development should minimise 

negative impacts on air quality and the release of CO2 

9.12.1 Air pollution affects us all causing significant health 

and social costs. The energy consumed in buildings 

produces about 50% of the UK’s carbon dioxide 

emissions. The Government is committed to the target set 

by the United Nations for the reduction of CO2 emissions 

by 5.2% by 2013. New development can contribute to 

the achievement of this goal through enabling reduced 

usage of the private car and by maximising energy 

conservation. It is important to ensure that appliances, 

particularly gas appliances, are operating efficiently and are 

properly maintained to reduce emissions, particularly of 

carbon monoxide, which is highly toxic. 

9.12.2 Whilst CO2 makes up the largest volume of gas 

which has a detrimental impact on air quality and ozone 

depletion, there are several others, for example nitrogen 

dioxide, sulphur dioxide and radon, which can cause 

serious damage not just to air quality but to water supplies. 

Methane, resulting from burning of fossil fuels, is another 

contributor to ozone depletion. Data from the Institute of 

Terrestrial Ecology shows that Kent often experiences 

ozone levels amongst the highest in the country. 


THE KENT AIR QUALITY PARTNERSHIP 


The 1995 Environment Act placed a duty upon 

district councils to undertake air quality reviews and 

assessments and to monitor local air quality and, 

where necessary, to prepare action plans to meet 

new air quality targets. Kent County Council (KCC) 

and the district councils have participated in the Kent 

Air Quality Partnership (KAQP) since 1992, together 

with the Environment Agency, Health Authorities 

and the University of Greenwich. Kent is in the 

unique position of having the Kent Air Quality 

Management System (KAQMS), which includes an 

emission inventory, an air quality model and a 

monitoring network, with 19 continuous monitoring 

sites recording data on key pollutants such as 

nitrogen dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur 

dioxide and particulate matter. 

Monitoring information along with weekly and annual 

reports can be accessed through an Internet website 

(http://www.Seiph.umds.ac.uk/envhealth/kaqmn.html). 

This is currently being updated to include additional 

information from the KAQP. The data from the 

KAQMS provides the basis for informed decisionmaking 

and has been used to assess over 20 major 

development proposals. It has also helped to raise 

awareness about a significant environmental problem. 

9.12.3 The air quality of the interior of buildings should 

also be considered. Sick Building Syndrome is a 

recognised problem that is particularly associated with 

artificially ventilated buildings. Materials such as solvents, 

paints, glues, preservatives and formaldehydes can 

release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that 

adversely affect the health of occupants. The use of these 

products should be avoided if possible, or reduced 

through the specification of low-emission formaldehyde 

products, organic or low-VOC paints, sealing or painting 

problem materials and by ensuring adequate ventilation. 

Developers should ensure that visual and other 

implications of pollution attenuation measures are 

addressed at an early stage of any project. 

Principle 9.13: Measures should be taken to minimise 

the risk of soil pollution 

9.13.1 The construction of buildings, roads and other 

infrastructure can have a destructive and often 

unnecessary impact on the soil and land surface. This can 

be minimised by: 

• preventing unnecessary disturbance of soils which 

have a particular ecological or agricultural/foodproducing 

function; 

• minimising the removal of topsoil and retaining that 

which has to be stripped for re-use once the 

development is completed, or for export to another site; 

• preventing cross-contamination of weeds and other 

undesirable imports by the monitoring of new soil; 

• preventing unnecessary or careless use of earthmoving 

equipment which can irrevocably erode or 

compact soil; 

• using geotextile mats, planting or more 

environmentally-friendly forms of land engineering; 

• treating soils which have been damaged previously; and 

• using plants which are suited to specific site conditions 

and considering their ongoing maintenance. 


REFERENCES: 

1 Sustainable Settlements: a guide for planners, designers and developers, 

by H Barton, G Davis and R Guise for University of the West of England 

and Local Government Management Board, 1995 

2 Planning for Passive Solar Design, Department of the Environment, 

Transport and the Regions/Department of Trade & Industry, Energy 

Efficiency Best Practice Programme, 1998 

3 Reviving the City, Friends of the Earth, 1991 

4 Aquifer Protection Policy, Environment Agency, 1998 

5 Water, Nature’s Precious Resource, National Rivers Authority, 1994 

6 Household Growth: where shall we live?, Department of the Environment, 

1996 

7 Introduction of the Groundwater Regulations, Environment Agency, 2/99 

8 Flood Plains, Environment Agency, 1/97 



89


90 


RESOURCES 

• Has the longevity, scarcity and energy of 

manufacture of materials been assessed? 

• Which of the raw materials used in the 

development come from renewable 

sources? 

• Are the materials locally-sourced to 

minimise transportation? 

• Does the proposal make use of recycled 

materials and follow the principles of the 

‘3 R’s’? 

• Do the buildings maximise solar gain? 

• Have other energy saving features and 

high quality insulation been included? 

• Have efforts been made to reduce energy 

and water use on site? 

• Has a sustainability statement or 

environmental evaluation such as 

BREEAM been undertaken? 

• Have the buildings been designed for 

potential re-use or adaptation for 

different uses and occupiers over time? 

• Are there buildings on site that could 

potentially be re-used? 

• For those buildings which are not being 

re-used, are their materials being re-used 

in the construction process? 

• Has a water management statement 

been submitted detailing measures to 

reduce water consumption? 

• What proportion of hard surfaces, such as 

car parking areas, are permeable? 

• Have water-efficient appliances or grey 

water systems been incorporated into the 

proposals? 

• For larger developments, has the use of 

reed beds for treating domestic sewage 

been considered? 

• Has an evaluation of impact on air quality 

been undertaken? 

• Have measures been taken to reduce the 

release of CO2 and other greenhouse 

gases? 

• Has the disturbance of soil been 

minimised and undeveloped land been 

suitably restored or maintained? 


green space 




10 

Conserve, create and integrate open space, landscape and natural 

habitats as part of development 

green space 

92 

Principle 10.1: The value of open space, landscape and 

nature conservation should be recognised within 

development proposals 

10.1.1 The implications of development on open space, 

landscape and nature conservation resources need to be 

fully understood as part of the design and decision-making 

process. Such resources can fulfil a number of different 

and complementary functions. All contribute to the 

quality of a locality by providing: 

OPEN SPACE 

• an enhanced quality of life promoting social and 

physical well being 

• places to meet, relax and exercise 

• space to hold events 

• facilities tailored to meeting local needs 

• locally-based facilities that reduce the need to travel 

• the creation of links between built up areas and the 

countryside. 

LANDSCAPE 

• an attractive environment for users and occupiers 

• a positive environment with wide economic benefits 

• a sense of enclosure 

• a sense of space 

• a pleasant setting for development 

• shade from the sun 

• softening of hard building lines 

• architectural benefits - contribution to the overall 

urban design of an area by helping to integrate the 

visual impact of built environment with nature 

• environmental benefits - micro-climate creation, 

pollution attenuation (vegetation absorbs pollution and 

dust), and by influencing water and energy consumption 

• noise and visual screening. 

NATURE CONSERVATION 

• an opportunity for retaining and encouraging local 

biodiversity 

• educational benefits - wildlife areas can provide 

informal or formal field laboratories for biological, 

geographical and environmental sciences 

• plants and animals that keep people in touch with 

their natural environment 

• the opportunity for local residents to manage their 

local environment, reinforcing a sense of community 

• a sense of tranquillity and place 

• the retention of cultural associations with the natural 

environment. 

10.1.2 There is a wide range of different landscape and 

nature conservation designations that may be affected by 

a development proposal. They include Areas of 

Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Special Protection 

Areas (SPA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special 

Landscape Areas (SLA), Sites of Special Scientific Interest 

(SSSI), Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), 

Local Nature Reserves (LNR), Tree Preservation Orders 

(TPO), Hedgerow Protection Orders (HPO), Protected 

Species, Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) and 

Historic Landscapes. Policies dealing with such 

designations are covered by national, regional or local 

plans (see Policy section). Information on designations 

should be sought in order to inform the design process 

and ensure that the special characteristics of such areas 

are given due attention. 

10.1.3 The following methods exist to help provide an 

objective assessment of the value of open space, 

landscape and nature conservation: 

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENTS 

10.1.4 The Countryside Agency has produced a 

Landscape Character Map for England which has been 

refined for Kent by analysing regional landscape character 

units (see Greensand Ridge case study). District wide 

assessments are encouraged at a local level. Character 

areas are a combination of physical features of the 

landscape (landforms, soils etc.), ecological profiles and 

cultural associations. Landscape Character Assessments 

analyse the condition and sensitivity of an area and 

describe landscape patterns. Guidance is given on the 

type of change that may be appropriate to the area, for 

example restoration, conservation or improvement. 

10.1.5 The assessments describe characteristic features 

such as field boundaries, land use, highways, tree cover, 

form and type of hedges, ditches and building materials. 

The information provided may need to be fine-tuned on 

a site-by-site basis as specific projects come forward. 


GREENSAND BELT LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT 1 


The purpose of this study was to understand the 

bio-geopraphic character of the Greensand Ridge. 

It examined landscape conditions and the issues that 

currently affect landscape change as a starting point 

for producing an overall landscape policy and 

guidelines for each character area. These parameters 

will inform the drafting of landscape policies in the 

4th Review of the Kent Structure Plan and Local 

Plans review. 

The study describes geology and soils, landform, 

rivers, ecology, local landscape and heritage features. 

It also provides an insight into what makes the area 

distinctive and which features are vulnerable and in 

need of particular attention or protection. In 

particular its recommendations include: 



• conserving remaining orchards; 

• restoring the historic parkland character of rolling 

grazing land and re-plant parkland trees; 

• minimising suburbanisation of the rural landscape 

when undertaking future road improvements along 

the A26 and A28; and 

• ensuring development respects the wooded 

silhouette of the Greensand Ridge and avoids 

erosion of the character of rural views. 


ROMNEY MARSH NATURAL AREA PROFILE 


The key findings in respect of the sub-area described 

as the Medway Valley Upper, were that: 

• development should maximise opportunities that 

allow the river to be naturally recharged by 

limiting hard surfacing which excessively discharges 

water to the sewer system; 

• the structures and settings of the historic bridges, 

locks and associated buildings should be conserved; 

• strategic shelterbelts and hedgerows in the 

surrounding landscape should be replanted to 

enhance the enclosed rural character of the 

riverside. The suburbs of Maidstone, notably 

those at Barming, should be screened; 

• issues of water and bankside quality should be 

addressed; and 

• any further development visible from the Medway 

Valley Upper (Nettlestead to Tovil) should be resisted. 

NATURAL AREAS 

10.1 Vintners park, Maidstone 

10.1.6 Natural Areas are defined in the UK Biodiversity 

Action Plan 2 as ‘biogeographic zones’ which reflect the 

geological foundation, the natural systems and processes 

and the native wildlife in different parts of the country. They 

are intended to provide a framework for an integrated 

approach to nature conservation. Profiles have been 

produced for all 10 Natural Areas in Kent by English Nature. 

10.1 Romney Marsh (Kent County Council) 

This study identifies the historical influences on the 

Marsh including the impact of human settlement, 

water abstraction and mineral extraction. Current 

impacts relate to leisure activities, the spread of built 

development and military activity (for example the 

use of vehicles and explosives causing damage). 

Principal Objective - complete protection of the 

remaining shingle and sand dune areas including 

associated pools, marshes and other habitats that 

have evolved by natural coastal processes. 

Subsidiary Objectives 

• restore more natural conditions of beach 

development 

• protect water levels in the shingle area 

• minimise damage from extraction areas 

• locate damaging activities elsewhere. 


CLIFFE POOLS MANAGEMENT PLAN 3 


10.1 Cliffe Pools 

Kentgreen space 



93


94 

Cliffe Pools, which are managed by the Royal Society 

for the Protection of Birds, constitute 10% of the 

UK saline resource and are nationally important 

waterfowl feeding and roosting site. The pits were 

created from clay extraction but permission for infill 

with river dredgings was granted. In 1997 a 

management agreement was reached with the 

support of the owners and operators to allow the 

dredgings to be deployed sensitively for the benefit 

of nature conservation while still disposing of the 

original volume of dredgings. 

The aim of the project was to provide a range of 

habitats including reed swamp saline lagoons, 

relatively fresh pools and lowland wet grassland. The 

project also manages unauthorised and undesirable 

activities while still providing low-key visitor facilities 

to cater for up to 40,000 visitors per year. The 

project demonstrates how wildlife initiatives need not 

necessarily work against commercial objectives and 

that wild life facilities can be an important 

recreational resource for the local community. 

BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLANS 

10.1.7 These provide a framework for the action that 

needs to be taken to implement national and local targets 

for habitats and species together with appropriate 

delivery mechanisms. The use of Kent’s Biodiversity 

Action Plan 4 can assist in identifying those habitats and 

species that are of importance and any appropriate action 

required to help ensure their long term survival. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CAPITAL 

10.1.8 The Environmental Capital Approach 5 focuses on 

why natural features and characteristics matter from a 

sustainability perspective by identifying the attributes or 

services these features can provide for society such as 

biodiversity, historical character and recreation. These 

are evaluated in both the local and global context by 

considering: at what scale is this attribute important; how 

important is it (at this scale); is enough of this resource 

anticipated in the future; and what if anything could 

replace or substitute for this attribute. 

10.1.9 The Approach defines the character of an area and 

identifies its environmental benefits and dis-benefits and 

projects proposed within it. It considers how important 

each benefit is and to whom and why. It may reveal that 

in some locations the Environmental Capital is so valuable 

and irreplaceable that no development should take place. 

Ancient woodland, for example, cannot be recreated 

except over hundreds of years. Other sites may have 

attributes that warrant substitution. The approach can 

inform decisions about the provisions to be made in a 

development to ensure sustainability and suggest solutions 

based on compensatory action and enhancement. 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS 

10.1.10 Environmental assessment, which is compulsory 

for certain categories of development, involves describing 

the existing baseline environment, predicting proposed 

environmental impacts of a development and attempting to 

eliminate, minimise or mitigate any negative effects. 

Further information on Environmental Assessments is given 

in Circular 2/99, Assessment of Environmental Regulation. 

10.1.11 Adopting appropriate methods of survey and 

appraisal for all proposals promotes good practice and 

ensures that the optimum solution for a site is found. 

10.1.12 Landscape, open space, physical surveys and 

ecological surveys should be carried out as appropriate and 

submitted with development proposals showing clear links 

between the survey results and the design. Physical 

surveys should include information on topography, geology, 

soils, water flows (catchment areas, position of aquifers, 

streams and ponds), water quality (nutrient status, acidic or 

neutral) and the orientation of the site. Landscape surveys 

should include information on growing conditions, existing 

vegetation and trees (including their condition) and those 

species which are appropriate to the area. Ecological 

surveys should identify habitats, features and species 

affected either directly or indirectly by the development. 

They should evaluate the importance of the features 

identified, determine the type, duration and significance of 

potential effects arising from the development and assess 

the overall balance of losses and gains, taking any proposed 

mitigation measures into account. 

Principle 10.2: New development should respond to 

site characteristics and context; this should include 

protecting sensitive sites and minimising any impacts 

10.2.1 Account should be taken of the need to draw 

from, conserve or enhance existing natural features, 

including locality, pattern, scale and materials and the 

need to protect sensitive sites and minimising impacts. 

(See Objective 6.) 

10.2.2 Features of landscape importance or nature 

conservation value should be retained and consideration 

should be given to re-creating or restoring habitats that 

have been lost or are found to be in poor condition. (see 

also 10.1) 

10.2.3 Protecting and enhancing existing flora and fauna 

can avoid the need to re-plant and establish new 

landscapes. The suitability of plants and trees chosen for 

retention or planting is important, with native plants 

generally more appropriate than non-native species. 

Planting should be appropriate to local ground conditions 

and consideration should be given to its long-term growth 

characteristics and maintenance requirements to ensure 

its survival and to avoid damage to other features. 

10.2.4 Landscape and nature conservation design can 

also be used to reinforce or create local identity. There 

may be opportunities to introduce new water features or 

woodlands and link existing habitats to create wildlife 

corridors, for example, by joining two woodland areas 

with a new hedgerow. 



PRINCES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, HILDENBOROUGH 


10.2 Princes Christian School 

This scheme comprised the redevelopment of an 

institutional site within the green belt. The site 

contained a Grade II listed building (Glen House) and 

associated land together with farmstead buildings in a 

courtyard format. A series of utilitarian outbuildings 

were demolished and replaced by new buildings of a 

similar footprint but in less prominent positions. 

This arrangement was intended to reduce the overall 

impact on the green belt and improve the setting of 

the listed building. The listed building and farmstead 

were then converted to residential use. 

Principle 10.3: Proposals should identify appropriate 

mitigation measures to address the impact of a 

development and to compensate for lost habitats and 

landscape features; opportunities should also be taken 

to enhance the existing and planned environment 

10.3.1 It will be inevitable in some schemes that features 

of value will be lost. Therefore it is important to identify 

measures to mitigate or compensate for that loss at the 

outset. Consideration should be given to the creation, 

restoration and enhancement of habitats. Mitigation 

measures might include providing planting to screen or 

enhance the appearance of a development, the creation 

of new habitats or open spaces or the enhancement of a 

feature that is to be retained. They may also involve the 

provision of landscaped footpaths to improve 

opportunities for walking, cycling or to provide links 

between existing or proposed green spaces, including 

access for the less mobile. Appropriate surveys together 

with the character appraisals referred to above should 

help to identify what mitigation measures are suitable. 

10.3.2 Mitigation and compensation measures should 

themselves be assessed to ensure they do not cause 

adverse impacts. 

10.3.3 Measures should be monitored, particularly where 

outcomes are uncertain, and management may need to be 

adjusted in the light of further information. For example, 

monitoring of mitigation measures by Christchurch 

College, Canterbury 6 showed that successful species 

translocation (slowworm) was difficult to achieve and 

should only be considered if no alternative options exist. 

Principle 10.4: Proposals should contribute towards 

the creation of a network of open space and promote 

accessibility from residential and commercial areas to 

green space 

10.4.1 Convenient access to open space is important for 

quality of life and personal well being. Children, 

adolescents and adults need open space to relax, play, 

socialise and exercise. In many areas, informal green space 

provides the only opportunity for contact with the natural 

environment. There should be an appropriate range of 

open space provision made within developments to meet 

the needs of different age groups. Sites should then be laid 

out in a manner appropriate for the designated purpose 

and be available as and when potential users require them. 

Occupiers of developments where limited private space is 

proposed will have different needs to those in more 

suburban housing situations. Green links from within town 

centres to the outer countryside might be a valuable 

resource for local residents. 

10.4 access to natural areas 


10.4.2 It is important that spaces which are created are 

attractive and of high quality to encourage their use. 

Consideration should be given to the existing patterns of 

use and potential circulation through and to new and 

existing open space. A well-used space often forms an 

identifiable route from one place to another and can 

contribute to more sustainable transport patterns, such as 

walking and cycling. 

RESEARCH 

Research conducted by Thames Valley Police in 1999 7 

identified a number of examples of facilities provided for 

teenagers that led to reductions in vandalism and other 

anti-social behaviour. The types of facilities provided 

included youth shelters and seating, basketball courts, 

cricket stumps and football walls. Ideally, facilities should 

combine different features and provide flexible spaces that 

can be used for a variety of uses. The research also found 

that investment in such facilities led to a reduction in repair 

costs at nearby play areas. They gave young people a place 

to socialise and thus reduced boredom, a key reason why 

youngsters take a first step to crime. (See objective 7.) 

The research concluded that care needs to be taken over 

access, lighting and the relationship to nearby houses. It 

recommended that a range of interest groups, such as 

local residents and business, should be involved in the 

design of facilities to ensure they are of value, safe for 

users and do not give rise to nuisance. It also advocates 

that schools and young people should be involved in the 

design, implementation and maintenance of facilities. 



95


VICTORIA PARK, DEAL 


An initial proposal for a basketball court was 

modified, following representations from youngsters 

at a public meeting, to include other facilities. The 

project was promoted jointly by Dover District 

Council and Deal Town Council. It comprises 

basketball, soccer and netball courts together with a 

wide range of skate and skate board facilities. The 

project was part-sponsored by the National Lottery 

and the Sports Council. 


function with the intention of providing a well-used and 

well-managed space. There may be scope to draw on 

local cultural, historic or environmental references in 

their design to provide a sense of local distinctiveness 

perhaps through public art. 

10.4.5 Local Plans normally set out the specific criteria for 

open space provision having regard to local assessments of 

need. Policies are often linked to National Playing Field 

standards and generally include reference to the need for: 

• equipped play areas 

• casual play space 

• areas for formal sports (pitches, courts, greens, etc.) 

• informal recreation (parkland, country parks, nature 

conservation facilities, riverside walks). 


96 

DARENTH COUNTRY PARK DARTFORD 8 


10.4 Darenth Park Country Park 

As part of a scheme for 300 new homes and a new 

hospital on the site of the Darenth Park Mental 

Hospital, 60 hectares of land was transferred to the 

local authority to create a country park, together 

with a lump sum for its management for 21 years. 

An associated scheme involved the creation of a 

village green and playing fields, enhancement of an 

SSSI, improved public access with new footpaths, 

cycle routes and bridle way, establishment of new 

riding centre for the disabled in refurbished farm 

buildings and new tree planting. The site was 

originally identified in the Dartford Local Plan and a 

masterplan was produced identifying the proposed 

mix of uses. The country park was also identified in 

the Kent Thames-side Green Grid Strategy (see 

Green-Grid case study). The Millennium 

Commission “Changing Places Fund” has provided 

other funding for the project and Groundwork Kent 

Thames-side is involved in facilitating the proposal. 

10.4.3 Occupiers and customers of commercial 

developments will benefit from the provision of high 

quality green space. Such spaces can improve the 

appearance and functioning of developments. They can 

also enhance the quality of the working environment and 

help to promote well being of staff and other users. 

Possibilities might include providing play facilities in retail 

developments and rest areas or other recreation facilities 

for employees. The scope to share existing or new 

facilities may also need to be considered. 

10.4.4 Open spaces should draw on local character 

assessments and create visual diversity within the 

environment. They should have a clear identity and 

10.4.6 English Nature also promote guidelines for the 

provision of accessible green space, a primary aim being 

to provide the opportunity for everyday contact with 

nature in a safe environment without the need to make 

extensive journeys. 

10.4.7 In making open space provision, consideration 

should be given to access by pedestrians and cyclists and 

the less mobile. Safety must also be considered, 

particularly play equipment standards, and the need for 

shade and a good quality environment. The availability 

and quality of existing public open space, and any 

opportunities to enhance this, should also be considered. 

10.4.8 In considering play provision the need for informal 

supervision is important. Where appropriate, play areas 

should be overlooked either by footpaths or properties. 

Children of different ages require different facilities but may 

still require supervision by the same guardian. It will also be 

important to ensure that the space is located and designed to 

avoid nuisance to nearby residents. It may be appropriate to 

test this issue through consultation (see objective 7). 


LOCAL PLAN OPEN SPACE POLICIES 


10.4 Dane John Gardens, Canterbury. 

Canterbury City Council Local Plan Policy D49 

Appendix 2 (1998) 9 

• 3 sq. m per child bed space with additional local 

play area per 100 dwellings 

• one doorstep play space (primarily for toddlers) 

per 30 dwellings to comprise of minimum 100 sq. 

m grassed and 100 sq. m hard surface with 1-2 

pieces of play equipment 


• local play area with kickabout area of 500 sq. m, 

four or more pieces of play equipment and a 

grassed amenity area of 300 - 500 sq. metres 

• main play areas to be located in existing parks and 

recreation grounds. 

Commuted payments based on 20 times the annual 

maintenance cost (estimated by the Director of Works 

(Council's legal charges to be met) or residents' 

maintenance company). Successive houseowners would 

be bound in title by a covenant under S33 of Local 

Government and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1992 to 

make an annual payment to cover maintenance. 

Shepway District Council Local Plan 1997 Policy LR13 10 

13m 2 of space per child bed space. 

2 Areas should be set out and located so as to 

minimise annoyance to nearby occupiers, 

maximise children's safety and be visible from 

neighbouring properties. Play areas should be 

within walking distance of all dwellings containing 

child bed spaces. 

i Local Area for Play 

Small areas to cater mainly for 4-6 year-olds 

within one minute walking time of homes 

(approximately 100m). 

ii Local Equipped Area for Play 

Equipped areas to cater mainly for accompanied 

4-8 year-olds, and unaccompanied children 

slightly older than 8, within five minutes walking 

time of home (approximately 400m). 

iii Neighbourhood Equipped Area for Play 

Equipped areas to cater mainly for 

unaccompanied 8-14 year-olds with 

consideration for older children and slightly 

younger supervised or accompanied children, 

within 15 minutes walking time of home 

(approximately 1,000m). 

Note: Child bed spaces are calculated by 

subtracting all bed spaces in old people's dwellings, 

all bed spaces in one or two person dwellings and 

two bed spaces in family dwellings, from the total 

number of bed spaces in the scheme. 


GREEN SPACE IN KENT THAMES-SIDE 11 


The Green Grid is a fundamental component of the 

vision for the economic, physical and social 

regeneration of the Kent Thames-side area which will 

undergo substantial change and growth in the 

next quarter century. It proposes the creation and 

retention of an interlinking web of high quality 

landscape - a framework of green spaces, areas of open 

land and green corridors. As well as being of strategic 

importance to the image and attractiveness of the area, 

the concept has individual and collective importance to 

the local community for landscape and visual quality, 

ecological and wildlife value, access and recreation. 

Initial survey work focused on identifying, classifying and 

mapping existing green space within the area and 

analysing this using a Geographic Information System 

(GIS) to highlight areas of deficiency. A strategic 

framework has been prepared which will serve as 

guidance for local development plans and define the 

context within which site specific planning can take place. 

Principle 10.5: Strategies should be submitted which 

address the long-term maintenance of proposed open 

space, landscape and nature conservation areas 

10.5.1 Landscape and nature conservation proposals 

should be accompanied by management plans and 

sources of funding for future management should be 

identified. Local stakeholders, such as parish councils and 

community groups, should be encouraged to contribute 

to management plans and agree their objectives and the 

rights and responsibilities of all parties. The long-term 

ownership and management of any landscaping or nature 

conservation areas should be explicitly addressed. 

Options include the parish council, district council, a 

management company, or trust. Asset management plans 

covering short and long-term maintenance should be 

provided as a condition of planning permission. 

Management proposals should allow flexibility, as the 

needs of the users changes over time. 


10.5.1 Landscapes should be maintained for the entire life of a development 

(Kent County Council) 

10.5.2 Proposals should outline in a management plan 

how maintenance and enhancement of habitats, new 

landscaping and open space will be addressed. Monitoring 

should occur after completion of the development to 

ascertain the effectiveness and achievement of objectives 

relating to landscape, open space and nature conservation. 

10.5.3 Management and maintenance arrangements 

should be simple, cost effective and promote sustainable 

after-care of landscape, habitats and species. They should 

also promote a sense of ownership amongst local 

residents and other stakeholders. While tidiness is often 

equated with maintenance there are schemes which 

require less intensive maintenance regimes such as 

meadow grass, naturalised landscape and woodlands and 

this may need to be emphasised to prospective occupiers 

(see Objective 3 on Life cycle). 



97


98 

Principle 10.6: Plans should be submitted to address 

the implementation of open space, nature 

conservation and landscaping proposals including 

adequate measures to safeguard features of 

landscape and nature conservation interest during 

construction 

10.6.1 Poor scheduling of works and inappropriate 

methods can damage features that are already present or 

even jeopardise the successful creation of proposed new 

features. A well thought out staged programme should be 

produced. The implementation of works and compliance 

with any conditions or obligations imposed should be 

monitored at every stage to ensure a successful outcome. 

After-care management should maintain or enhance the 

open space, landscape and habitats present or proposed 

on site. This is referred to in Objective 3 on Life cycle and 

in this section under principle 10.5. 

10.6.2 Implementation proposals should ensure that the 

following are avoided: 

• Properties being occupied before the necessary 

facilities are in place 

• Compaction and damage during construction - create 

precautionary areas and protective zones 

• Unnecessary storage on site; locate storage areas for 

materials and plants away from existing and 

developing features of interest 

• The misuse of chemicals and hazardous substances 

• Contaminated run off to neighbouring water courses 

• Damage to trees and vegetation to be retained 

• Damage to trees and vegetation on adjoining land 

• Damage to utilities (for example by checking records) 

• Sensitive seasonal periods 

Principle 10.7: Green space proposals should be used 

to achieve other design objectives such as biodiversity, 

resource minimisation and community safety 

10.7.1 In all developments it should be demonstrated 

that open space, landscaping and nature conservation 

proposals would achieve a wise use of resources both 

during implementation and throughout the long-term 

management of the landscape. Water resources, in 

particular, should be conserved by using plants which do 

not require supplementary watering or which help to 

clean run-off before it enters the water table. The 

retention of existing vegetation and careful selection 

process for new plants and trees should minimise the 

impact on the water table. 

10.7.2 As well as their recreational and ecological value, 

trees and plants are fundamental to our well being by 

absorbing pollution and releasing oxygen into the 

atmosphere. Landscape schemes can provide an 

opportunity to increase biodiversity and achieve targets 

as identified in County and District Biodiversity Action 

Plans. Planting schemes can provide shade to give 

protection from the sun, particularly in areas used by 

children such as parks or school grounds. Landscape 

design can also be used in road design to enclose spaces 

and therefore help reduce vehicle speeds. It is important, 

however, that it does not itself create a nuisance, for 

example, by causing problems of overgrowth by plants 

such as leylandii. 

10.7.3 Landscape schemes can contribute to energy 

consumption within a development, for example by 

providing shelter belts. Zones of vegetation can also be used 

to soften or screen the urban edges to development and, if 

of a sufficient scale, these zones can serve other functions 

such as providing recreational space or wildlife corridors. 

10.7.4 Other factors which could promote sustainability 

within landscape, open space or nature conservation 

design include: 

• ensuring moisture can reach planted areas and by 

planting in places where moisture is sufficient for the 

selected species. This will minimise the need for 

artificial watering; 

• promoting safety; for example of pedestrians and 

children using footpaths and play areas; 

• considering the impact of hard surfacing on 

groundwater; for example pavements and roads; 

• avoiding the need for intensive maintenance regimes 

which require excessive use of resources; for 

example, energy for mowing and water consumption; 

• exploring the use of short rotation coppicing in 

appropriate locations to provide an energy resource; 

• involving stakeholders in all stages of the development 

process to promote local ownership and long term 

commitment to maintenance; for example parish, 

community, and interest groups; and 

• using landscape features to enhance the appearance of 

roads and pedestrian routes providing focal points, 

sense of place and changes in scale and character of 

external spaces. 


THE EARTH CENTRE, DONCASTER 12 

PRINCIPLE 10.7. 

10.7 The Earth Centre recognises the importance 

of water and its conservation 

The Earth Centre in Doncaster seeks to promote an 

understanding of sustainable development and to 

help people become involved in the process of 

achieving it within their own lives as well as 

addressing more global concerns. It has been 

developed on a derelict colliery site. Landscape is 

intended to be a key attraction with opportunities 

for play, production of crops, education and general 

appreciation of the natural environment. The 

landscape strategy seeks to manage basic natural 


esources of soils, water, waste and energy. It is 

intended to present everyday features in a new light 

and to make people reconsider issues that affect 

them at home. A range of soil profiles has been 

incorporated to demonstrate a variety of planting 

and management techniques. 

Water is a fundamental element of the scheme. A 

system has been devised to collect, store, clean 

(through reed beds) and recycle water. Localised 

landforms have been used to create shelter and varied 

character areas. Excavations have created 

opportunities for new wetlands and damp hollows 

that create new habitats for threatened species in the 

locality. Terraced gardens from the river edge to the 

crest of the old spoil tip are based around the 

principles of organic gardening with the emphasis on 

gardens that produce fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers, 

medicines and dyes. There are forest gardens, 

drought-tolerant gardens and conservation gardens. 

It is intended that recycled water, including treated 

effluent, will be used to irrigate some of these. Water 

is also used as a theme of the park - there is an array 

of spaces where the aesthetic, sensory and spiritual 

value of water can be expressed. 

REFERENCES: 

1 Greensand Belt Landscape Assessment, Kent County Council, 1998 

2 UK Biodiversity Action Plan, Report of Steering Group to Government, 

1995 

3 Cliffe Pools Management Plan, Royal Society For the Protection of Birds, 

1997 

4 Kent Biodiversity Action Plan, Kent County Council, 1997 

5 Environmental Capital - A New Approach, CAG Consultants for the 

Countryside Commission, English Heritage, English Nature and the 

Environment Agency, 1997 

6 Translocation of Slow Worms as a Mitigation Strategy, Platenburg R.J. & 

Griffiths, R.A, 1999 

7 Youth Shelters and Supports Systems, Thames Valley Police, 1999 

8 Countryside Benefits from Developer Contributions: A report for the 

Countryside Agency, Oxford Brookes University, 1999 

9 Canterbury City Council Local Plan, Canterbury City Council, 1998 

10 Shepway District Council Local Plan, Shepway District Council, 1997 

11 Green space in Kent Thames-side, Kent County Council on behalf of the 

Thames-side Partnership, 1998 

12 Life on Earth, Andrew Grant, Landscape Design, May 1998 


LANDSCAPE 

• Have relevant landscape or character 

assessments been taken into account? 

• Have existing attributes been 

safeguarded? 

• Have appropriate mitigation measures 

been included? 

• Has the impact of any proposed 

mitigation measures been assessed? 

• Do the occupiers have access to open 

space? 

• Do the landscape, nature conservation 

and open space proposals embrace 

sustainability principles? 

• Have maintenance strategies been 

submitted? 

• Are maintenance schemes sustainable in 

terms of resource use? 




99



general appendix 



policy context 




102 

PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTE (PPG) 1 GENERAL 

POLICY AND PRINCIPLES, 1997 

PPG1 sets out the Government’s approach to planning 

and recognises the important role of the planning system 

in delivering sustainable development. It promotes high 

quality mixed-use developments, recognising that local 

planning authorities may need to adopt a flexible 

approach to planning standards to achieve this. The Note 

suggests that this might include reducing the level of 

parking provision and allowing increased densities, while 

having regard to the availability of alternative modes of 

transport, residential amenity and the needs of business. 

It specifically mentions the potential role of urban villages. 

PPG1 also encourages local authorities to include design 

policies in development plans and these plans may refer 

to supplementary design guidance. It states that applicants 

should, as a minimum, provide a short written statement 

setting out the design principles adopted. 

DRAFT PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTE 3 HOUSING, 1999 

PPG3 emphasises the need to promote high quality 

residential and mixed use developments to raise the 

density of development in and around centres and other 

areas with good public transport links. The guidance 

suggests that providing off-street parking adds significantly 

to the amount of land needed. It also states that local 

authorities should revise their parking standards to allow 

significantly lower levels of parking provision in all housing 

developments and allow for the variation in car 

ownership relative to income, age and household type. 

PPG3 states that local authorities should set both a 

minimum and a range of densities to reflect local 

character. It advises that low density development should 

be avoided. It advocates using previously developed sites 

within urban areas to make best use of existing physical 

and social infrastructure. Compulsory purchase powers 

should be used where necessary. It promotes the use of 

positive policies to encourage the conversion of buildings 

to residential use. 

PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTE 6 TOWN CENTRES AND 

RETAIL DEVELOPMENT, 1996 

PPG6 promotes mixed uses within town centres as a means 

of encouraging new investment and additional housing within 

urban areas. It acknowledges that the vitality and viability of 

town centres depends on retaining and developing a wide 

range of attractions and amenities, creating and maintaining 

an attractive environment, ensuring good accessibility and 

encouraging high quality design. 

PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTE 7 THE COUNTRYSIDE - 

ENVIRONMENT QUALITY AND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 

DEVELOPMENT, 1997 

The guiding principle in the countryside is that 

development should benefit economic activity and 

maintain or enhance the environment. Rural areas can 

accommodate many forms of development without 

detriment if the location and design of development is 

handled with sensitivity. New development should be 

sensitively related to existing settlement patterns and to 

historic, wildlife and landscape resources. Building in the 

open countryside, away from existing settlements or from 

areas allocated for development in development plans, 

should be strictly controlled. In areas statutorily 

designated for their landscape, wildlife or historic 

qualities, policies should give greater priority to restraint. 

PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTE 9 NATURE 

CONSERVATION, 1994 

This recognises that the wildlife of Britain is an integral 

part of its towns, countryside and coasts and is not 

confined to the various statutorily designated sites. It also 

recognises that many urban sites for nature conservation 

have an enhanced local importance as a consequence of 

the relative lack of wildlife sites in built-up areas. 

PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTE 13 TRANSPORT 

(CONSULTATION DRAFT), 1999 

The objectives of this guidance are to integrate planning 

and transport at the national, regional and local level to 

promote more sustainable transport choices, and reduce 

the need to travel, especially by car. This will help to 

ensure that the planning system plays its part in the 

Government’s strategy on sustainable development, 

including promoting social inclusion in both urban and 

rural areas and revitalising towns and cities as places to 

live and work. 

PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTE 15 PLANNING AND THE 

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT, 1994 

Some of the key points set out in the guidance are: 

Para 1.5 states conservation can play a key part in 

promoting economic prosperity by ensuring an area 

offers attractive living and working conditions. 

Para 1.6 urges local authorities to maintain and strengthen 

their commitment to stewardship of the historic 

environment advocating that it is important for planning 

authorities to adopt suitable policies in their development 

plans and give practical effect to them through their 

development control decisions. 

Para 2.18 suggests that new uses may often be the key to 

a building’s or area’s preservation. Controls over land use, 

density, plot ratio, day lighting and other planning matters 

should be exercised sympathetically where this would 

enable a building to be given a new lease of life. 



PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTE 16 ARCHAEOLOGY AND 

PLANNING, 1990 

In summary, some of the key points set out in the 

guidance are: 

Para 6 states archaeological remains should be seen as a 

finite and non-renewable resource, in many cases highly 

fragile and vulnerable to damage and destruction. They 

are part of our sense of national identity and are valuable 

both for their own sake and for their role in education, 

leisure and tourism. 

Para 12 points out that the key to informed decisions is 

for consideration to be given to whether archaeological 

remains exist on a site before formal planning applications 

are made and how these might impact on the 

development proposal. Developers should prepare 

sympathetic designs which avoid disturbing the remains 

by; careful choice of foundation type; minimising damage 

by raising ground levels under a proposed new structure, 

or by careful siting of landscape and open space areas. 

Depending on the importance of the remains, 

arrangements may be needed for preservation in situ or 

excavation and recording. 

Para 19 suggests that, in their own interests, developers 

should in all cases include as part of their research into the 

development potential of a site an initial assessment of 

whether the site is known or likely to contain 

archaeological remains. It suggests consultation with the 

County Archaeological Officer and, where appropriate, 

English Heritage. Assessment normally involves a deskbased 

evaluation of existing information including historic 

maps and records. Where early discussions indicate that 

important remains may exist, field investigations through 

ground surveys or trial trenching are suggested. 

PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTE 17 SPORT AND 

RECREATION, 1991 

Some of the key points in this guidance are: 

Para 17 suggests the extent to which particular standards 

are applicable in a specific area is a matter for the local 

planning authority’s judgement. In considering possible 

standards, ease of access to public open space, 

particularly on foot, should be an important consideration 

in plan preparation. 

Para 20 suggests that in highly built up areas 

redevelopment schemes may provide opportunities for 

creating new public open space. Sport and recreation 

facilities can form an important component of new 

housing, major office schemes and retail development. It 

may be appropriate to secure sports and recreation 

provision as part of larger mixed-use development, 

including on-site and off-site facilities. In the case of 

smaller developments a contribution to nearby sport and 

recreation or open space may be appropriate. 

Para 25 states that open space is important to the quality 

of urban life. 

Paras 52-53 identify the need to have regard to issues of 

nuisance associated with some sporting activities. 

Para 27 states that local planning authorities should seek 

to achieve a reasonable balance between the need to 

make adequate provision for development in urban areas 

and the need to protect open space. 

Local plans should address in consultation with leisure and 

other departments:- the need for main stream and 

specialist sports facilities and the particular recreational 

needs of the elderly and disabled people. They should 

assess local needs, identify deficiencies and ensure 

provision is properly co-ordinated with other forms of 

development. 

PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE NOTE 23 PLANNING AND 

POLLUTION CONTROL, 1994 

In summary, some of the key points set out in the 

guidance are: 

Para 1.31 states that the planning system has an important 

role to play in determining the location of development 

which may give rise to pollution. 

Para 1.32 states that the planning system should control 

other development in proximity to potential sources of 

pollution. 

Para 1.33 states that “the role of the planning system 

focuses on whether the development itself is an 

acceptable use of the land rather than the control of the 

processes themselves”. Material considerations that may 

have an effect on the use of land might include the risk 

and impact of pollution from the development and the 

need and feasibility of restoring the land to standards 

sufficient for appropriate after use. Planning can therefore 

complement the pollution control regime, recognising 

that the dividing line is not always clear cut. 

Para 1.34 states that planning authorities will need to 

consult pollution control authorities in order that they can 

take account of the scope and requirements of the 

relevant pollution controls. They should work on the 

assumption that the pollution control regimes will be 

properly applied and enforced. 

Para 1.35 In some cases the scope of the planning system 

in protecting the environment will go wider than that of 

the pollution control regime. 





103

Para 1.36 Planning authorities must be satisfied that 

concerns about potential releases can be left for the 

pollution control authority to take into account in 

considering the application for the authorisation or licence. 

Alternatively, they may conclude that the wider impact of 

a potential release on the development or use of land is 

unacceptable on planning grounds despite the potential 

grant of a pollution control authorisation or licence. 

prevention measures will have been lost. The Circular 

encourages consultation with Police Architectural Liaison 

Officers. The advice contained in the Circular includes: 

• landscaping adjoining footpaths to avoid hidden areas 

• creating defensible territory 

• avoiding unrestricted rear access 

• ensuring appropriate surveillance and lighting of car 

parks 


104 

Part of PPG 23 will be supported by PPG 10 Planning and 

Waste Management (September 1999) with regard to 

waste management issues. 

A STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE 

UNITED KINGDOM 1999 

This strategy for sustainable development is a catalyst for 

change. It identifies priority areas for action in the 

sustainability sphere, and indicators and targets to 

measure progress, against which the Government will 

expect to be judged. It sets out action that the 

Government has already taken and further initiatives that 

are planned, and highlights what others can do. The 

Government will use the Strategy as a framework to guide 

its policies and will encourage others to do the same. 

URBAN TASK FORCE REPORT ‘TOWARDS AN URBAN 

RENAISSANCE’ 1999 

The main thrust of the Urban Task Force’s Report is to limit 

greenfield land releases and channel development into 

urban brownfield sites. A range of fiscal measures and 

incentives are proposed in support of this, targeted at 

landowners, housebuilders and developers, owner 

occupiers, tenants and investors. The Report argues that 

only through the creation of sustainable city living can future 

household demand be met and building on greenfield sites 

minimised. The Report aims to achieve a new equilibrium 

between cities, societies and nature which is both realistic 

and achievable. It emphasises the need for our towns and 

cities to be made more attractive as places to live, work and 

visit, if targets for new housing development to be located 

on urban, recycled land are to be achieved. It also 

recognises that key components of making urban living 

more desirable will be the quality of schools, health services 

and low levels of pollution and crime. 

QUALITY IN TOWN AND COUNTRY 1994 

This document is aimed to stimulate the debate and 

encourage best practice in good design. 

CIRCULAR 5/94 PLANNING OUT CRIME 1994 

Circular 5/94 states that crime prevention can become a 

material consideration when planning applications are 

being considered. It recognises that the cause of crime 

and vandalism are complex, but it is widely accepted that 

environmental factors can play a part. Used sensitively, 

the planning system can be instrumental in producing an 

attractive and well-managed environment that helps to 

discourage antisocial behaviour. The Circular points out 

that adopting a range of uses can create livelier and more 

attractive environments but once a development is 

completed the main opportunity to incorporate crime 

THE CRIME AND DISORDER ACT 1998 

The Crime and Disorder Act requires the creation of 

multi-agency partnerships to cut crime in their local areas. 

These partnerships seek to create a broad framework to 

enhance the quality of life for the communities they serve. 

The police, together with the local authority, are required 

to undertake a crime and disorder audit in the district, 

borough or unitary authority area, in consultation with 

other agencies and the wider community. They will then 

have to develop a local strategy to tackle crime and 

disorder identified in the audit. The work of the partners 

includes setting clear targets and involves action at a local 

level within the local authority area. 

It is important that contractors and developers 

understand that the local authorities now have a statutory 

obligation to consider this legislation in the development 

and refurbishment of land within its boundaries. 

BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN 1994 

In 1992 the UK Government signed the Biodiversity 

Convention at the UN Conference on the Environment 

and Development in Rio. This was followed in 1994 by 

the publication of ‘Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan’ which 

sets out the UK's agenda and action for nature 

conservation. 

At county level this was translated into targets and actions 

by a partnership of interested organisations, including the 

county and district authorities together with the statutory 

and non-statutory wildlife and farming bodies. The 

process was launched with the publication of the Kent 

Biodiversity Action Plan in 1997. 

The recent ‘Making Biodiversity Happen’ supplementary 

consultation paper to ‘Opportunities for Change’ 

prepared by DETR, recognises that biodiversity is a crosscutting 

theme - an aspect of sustainable development and 

an element of its success rather than a sectoral activity 

which needs to be influenced by sustainable development 

at a practical level. It also clearly recognises that 

biodiversity is related to quality of life and that there is a 

need to integrate it into policies and programmes. 

DESIGNATED SITES 

Sites with SPA (Special Protection Area) and SAC (Special 

Area of Conservation) status are of European importance 

and contribute to the Natura 2000 network. Natura 2000 

is a complex of sites protecting the full range of important 

habitats and species found throughout the continent. 

Ramsar (wetland sites named under the Ramsar 

Convention) have even wider international importance. 



The EC Habitats Directive seeks to maintain the diversity 

of European wildlife and to protect rare and threatened 

species (English Nature). One of the most important 

measures is to designate a series of key sites. This has and 

is still being done by the Government and designated sites 

are referred to as SAC or Special Areas of Conservation. 

The EC Habitats Directive also requires member states 

to endeavour to encourage the management of features 

of the landscape which are of major significance for wild 

flora and fauna. These features are those which, because 

of the linear and continuous structure of their function as 

stepping stones, are essential for migration, dispersal and 

genetic exchange, e.g. rivers, field boundaries, ponds and 

small woodlands. These features can often be closely 

associated with developed areas and in many cases are 

remnants of the open countryside. Development 

proposals need to consider potential impacts on such 

features, as well as opportunities to enhance these 

networks. 

The Birds Directive requires the Government to 

conserve the habitats of certain species of birds by 

classifying areas of most suitable habitat for them as SPAs. 

The Ramsar Convention requires the Government to 

protect wetland sites of international importance 

including those of importance for waterfowl. All SAC, 

SPAs and Ramsar sites are based on the existing SSSI 

network. 

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are of national 

importance and represent only a selection of the best 

examples of wildlife habitats, geological features and 

landforms. There are many areas of high heritage value 

that remain undesignated as SSSI. However other 

designated or selected areas exist (usually those 

designated by local authorities and wildlife trusts) such as 

Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and 

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs). 

Some species of plants and animals outside of designated 

areas are also protected in their own right under three 

main Acts of Parliament, that is The Wildlife and 

Countryside Act, The Protection of Badgers Act and The 

Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations. 

THE TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER 1998 

This sets the framework intended to: 

• reduce pollution from transport 

• improve air quality 

• encourage healthy lifestyles by reducing dependence 

on the car and making it easier to walk and cycle 

• promote better public transport 

• reduce noise and vibration from transport 

• improve safety for walkers. 

Taxation is identified as one means of encouraging fuel 

efficient vehicles. The White Paper also outlines some 

issues to be considered in regional planning guidance 

including traffic management issues, road user charging, 

guidance on parking standards and parking levies. 

PLACES STREETS AND MOVEMENT - A COMPANION GUIDE TO 

DESIGN BULLETIN 32 (RESIDENTIAL ROADS AND FOOTPATHS), 

1998 

This Guide encourages a greater emphasis on place, 

community and context in the design of housing layouts. 

It seeks to promote a flexible interpretation of Design 

Bulletin 32 away from prescriptive standards in order to 

reduce car useage and avoid the dominance of the car. 

The guide explains how the layout of areas can contribute 

to the promotion of walking, cycling and public transport. 

SECURED BY DESIGN 1989 

This is a police initiative with the objective of encouraging 

the building industry to adopt recommended crime 

prevention guidelines in both housing and estate design. 

Since the launch a series of guidelines have been 

produced in relation to car parks, housing and 

commercial premises. 

KENT TOWNS SAFETY AND SECURITY GUIDE 1997 

The Safer Kent Initiative was launched in 1994 and is a 

partnership including the Police, Kent County Council, 

district councils and other organisations with an interest 

in crime prevention. In 1997 the initiative produced this 

Guide drawing on expertise from Kent Town Centre 

Managers and other with expertise in this field. It contains 

information and advice on issues such as: retail crime 

prevention; emergency access; safety in car parks and 

public transport facilities; facilities for the young; street 

environment and activities. 





105



contacts 



Address: 

ASHFORD 

Ashford Borough Council 

The Civic Centre 

Tannery Lane 

Ashford 

Kent TN23 1PL 

Telephone Number: 01223 637311 

Address: 

CANTERBURY 

Canterbury City Council 

Military Road 

Canterbury 


CT1 1YW 


Address: 

DARTFORD 

Dartford Borough Council 

Civic Centre 

Home Gardens 

Dartford 

Kent DA1 1DR 


Address: 

DOVER 

Dover District Council 

White Cliffs Business Park 

Dover 

Kent CT16 3PG 


Address: 

MEDWAY 

Compass Centre 

Chatham Maritime 

Chatham 

Kent, ME4 4YH 


Address: 

SEVENOAKS 

Sevenoaks District Council 

Council Offices 

Argyle Road 

Sevenoaks 

Kent TN13 1HG 


Address: 

SHEPWAY 

Shepway District Council 

Civic Centre 

Castle Hill Avenue 

Folkestone 

Kent CT20 2QY 


Address: 

SWALE 

Swale Borough Council 

Swale House 

East Street 

Sittingbourne 

Kent ME10 3HT 


contacts 

108 

Address: 

GRAVESHAM 

Gravesham Borough Council 

Cygnet House 

Windmill Street 

Gravesend 

Kent DA12 1BQ 


Address: 

MAIDSTONE 

Maidstone Borough Council 

13 Tonbridge Road 

Maidstone 

Kent ME15 8HG 


Address: 

THANET 

Thanet District Council 


Cecil Street 

Margate 

Kent CT10 1XZ 


Address: 

TONBRIDGE & MALLING 

Tonbridge & Malling Borough 

Council 


The Air Station 

West Malling 

Kent ME19 6LZ 




Address: 

TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

Tunbridge Wells Borough 

Council 

Town Hall 

Royal Tunbridge Wells 

Kent TN1 1RS 


KENT COUNTY COUNCIL 

Strategic Planning Director 

Invicta House 

County Hall 


ME14 1XX 


Transport Client Services, 

Invicta House, 

County Hall, 


ME14 1XX. 

FURTHER COPIES OF THIS DOCUMENT CAN BE OBTAINED 

FROM: 

Environmental Management Publications 

Strategic Planning 

Invicta House 

County Hall 



ME14 1XX 


Fax Number: 01622 221636 

E-mail: env.publications@kent.gov.uk 

FURTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM: 

http://www.kent.gov.uk/kent_design/ 

or 

E-mail: urban_design@kent.gov.uk 

Area Offices - 

(Transport Planning and Project Management): 

West Kent Area Office, 

Mid Kent Area Office, 

Doubleday House, 

Aylesford, 


ME20 7BU 

St Michael’s Close, 

Aylesford, 


ME20 7TZ 

North East Kent Area Office, 

2 Beer Cart Lane, 

Canterbury, 


CT1 2NN 

Babtie Group - Engineering Consultants 

Sandling Block, 

Springfield, 

Maidstone, 


ME14 2LQ 


contacts 



109



glossary 



accessibility - 

adoption - 

a sense of place - 

amenity - 

axis - 

backlands - 

best practice - 

biodiversity - 

The ease with which people can 

travel to a site by different modes 

of transport. 

The process by which land for 

open space, landscaping or 

highway land is transferred to a 

local authority to maintain. 

The overall impression of a 

collection of environmental 

elements combining to make a 

distinctive space. 

A pleasant or useful feature or 

facility. It can also relate to the 

quality of life enjoyed by 

occupants, for example the 

quietness of their environment. 

A line of vision or access between 

key nodes or points of visual 

interest. 

Areas of land behind existing 

developments including gardens 

and garage space. 

To pursue the best approach. 

A term referred to in the Concise 

Oxford Dictionary of Ecology 

(1994) as “…. All aspects of 

biological diversity especially 

including species richness, 

ecosystem complexity and 

genetic variation.” 

and to allow passengers to enter 

and leave the bus on the level. 

car-free developments - 

Schemes with no provision for 

parking cars on site. Often placed 

within close proximity of good 

public transport. 

close/fine grained streets - 

Dense streets with a high diversity 

of detail at a human scale. 

collaboration - 

To co-operate and work jointly 

within a team structure. 

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) - 

A system which, in contrast to 

conventional electricity production, 

utilises the waste heat of electricity 

production to provide hot water 

that is distributed widely for space 

heating between buildings or 

within an urban district. 

commuted sum - 

Payments made at the outset to 

cover the costs of infrastructure 

provision or maintenance. 

contaminated land - Pollution grading term used to 

describe land that contains 

concentrations of substances that 

are likely to be harmful, directly 

or indirectly to humans and the 

environment. 

CO2 - Carbon Dioxide 

glossary 

112 

bolt-on devices - 

boulevard - 

breathing wall - 

brownfield sites - 

bus-boarders - 

Traffic calming - usually refers to 

raised features such as speed 

humps, but includes changes to 

kerb lines on existing roads. 

A broad main street which is 

usually lined with trees and can be 

dedicated to a range of different 

users. 

Constructed to allow airflow 

through the fabric of the wall. 

Land previously used for urban or 

industrial development. 

Alterations in kerb line to allow 

buses to access kerbs more easily 

context - 

covenants - 

The surroundings into which a 

development is situated. 

Legal restrictions on land that 

control the use or development 

of a site. 

cycleways (combined) - 

A footway which has been 

designated by a sign for the use of 

both cyclists and pedestrians. 

cycleways (segregated) - 

Cycleways can be segregated in 

two ways; either the footway next 

to the carriageway is divided 

(usually by a white line) so that 

cyclists can use one side, or they are 



separated from the carriageway 

and follow a different route. 

defensible space - An exterior space usually 

adjoining a private internal space 

to provide a buffer capable of 

conveying the message of privacy. 

density - 

The degree of closeness and 

proximity of one to another. 

grey-water - 

holistic - 

home-zone - 

Rain water and waste water from 

washing. 

The whole system combining a 

series of sub-elements. 

A dominantly residential and 

pedestrian area where speeds are 

kept to around 10mph - making 

streets into multi-use spaces. 

development brief - 

development team - 

dumb roundabout - 

eco-system - 

Document which sets out the key 

issues which need to be taken into 

consideration when producing 

detailed proposals for a site. The 

can give an indication of potential 

uses for a site and detailed design 

matters including identifying 

relevant constraints. 

This includes all those individuals or 

organisations who have a potential 

involvement in the processing of a 

planning application. 

Roundabout island sited in length 

of road away from junctions. 

Defined in the Concise Oxford 

Dictionary of Ecology (1994) as 

“…. biological community of 

interacting organisms and their 

physical environment”. 

human-scale - 

infrastructure - 

In proportion with the dimensions 

of the average person. 

Basic equipment or structure on 

which other systems can be 

operated e.g. roads, railway lines, 

schools or open spaces. 

integrated transport - Various forms of movement 

brought together to form a 

combined network of inter-linking 

systems allowing easy movement 

e.g. from bus to cycle or bus to 

rail. It can include synchronised 

timetabling and through ticketing. 

KAB - 

Kent Association for the Blind. 

landmark features - A conspicuous and usually 

important element in the 

environment set within a backdrop 

of more mundane elements. 

embodied energy - 

The amount of energy consumed 

in the extraction, manufacture, 

transport, assembly on site and 

eventual removal/demolition of 

building materials. 

Environmental Impact Assessment - 

A comprehensive method of 

assessing the relevant 

environmental factors in a 

systematic manner so as to advise 

on appropriate action. 

foyer - Centre for information, 

accommodation and socialising 

for young people with specific 

problems such as homelesness 

and unemployment. 

green commuter plans - 

Measures to reduce peak-time 

travel by car. 

landmark shelter - 

lifecycle analysis - 

Covered structure such as a 

bandstand or other gathering area 

which forms a focal point in an 

area of public open space. 

The assessment of energy costs 

over the long term in the 

construction and final building 

form, taking account of the 

extraction, processing, use, 

maintenance and disposal of the 

materials involved. 

legible environment - An easily understandable and 

navigable place. 

local agenda 21 - 

An agreement signed at the Rio 

Earth Summit in 1992 to ensure a 

good quality of life for people while 

safeguarding the environment. LA 

21 Strategies are agendas for local 

action to promote sustainability. 


glossary 



113

local-distinctiveness - The particular characteristics of a 

locality that distinguishes one local 

area from another. 

luminaire - 

Lamp-holder. 

public art - 

public realm - 

Art objects or processes displayed 

in the public realm usually externally. 

All space accessible to the general 

public. 

magnets - 

Developments that draw the public 

in - they would include community 

centres, cinemas, leisure facilities 

and transport nodes. 

rapid light transit - 

Covers a variety of frequent 

service systems which include 

trams, guided buses and light 

railway/mono-rail. 

micro-climate - Localised climatic conditions 

within a site or a part of a site. 

mitigation - 

An alternative solution through 

the trading of an undesirable 

aspect for another facet in the 

design or development. 

reedbed technology - An alternative system to 

conventional sewage treatment 

that uses ponds and reed beds to 

treat waste water. 

RNIB - 

Royal National Institute for the 

Blind 

mixed-use - 

Different, usually complimentary, 

uses within various scales from a 

building to a street to a 

neighbourhood. 

self-policing - 

Casual surveillance carried out by 

residents in their day to day 

activities which serves to 

discourage criminal behaviour. 

neighbourhood - 

A district of distinct character 

usually predominantly residential. 

sense of place - 

Local characteristics which give a 

place identity. 

glossary 

114 

nodes - 

Points at which routes for public 

transport and other modes of 

movement intersect. 

nuisance - The source of trouble or 

annoyance. 

passive solar design - The collection of solar radiation 

to meet a building’s heating load 

using the fabric of the building 

rather than solar panels which are 

active solar systems. 

ped-sheds - 

perceptual - 

A pedestrian catchment area 

defined by a radius of 400m which 

is approximately a 5 minute walk. 

Observation and understanding 

through the use of the senses. 

permeable surfaces - Surfaces which allow the passage 

of rainwater through their fabric. 

permeability - 

photovoltaics - 

privacy distance - 

The degree of accessibility and ease 

of passage of people through space. 

The use of special cells which 

generate electricity using energy 

from the sun. 

A defined unit of measurement 

for separation between two 

inhabitable private spaces. 

SERPLAN - 

Plan devised by Local authority 

elected planning representatives 

to which determines regional 

housing, transport and economic 

planning for the south east. 

Sick Building Syndrome - 

Recognised problem when the 

health of occupants is adversely 

affected by elements of the 

building such as air conditioning 

systems and plastics, adhesives 

and synthetic building products. 

speed restraints - 

sustainability - 

template - 

traffic calming - 

three ‘R’s - 

Design features applied to new 

streets and roads to keep traffic 

speeds low. 

The maintenance of the health of 

the biosphere and the husbanding 

of key resources of air, water, land 

and minerals. 

A standard highway solution to 

the design of a site. 

Measures applied to existing 

roads to keep traffic speeds low. 

Reduce, Re-use and Re-cycle 

refers to minimising the excessive 

use of resources, in the order of 

their degree of sustainability. 



trim-trail - A set of public exercise 

equipment usually along an 

external route. 

urban design - 

urban grain - 

A broad term encompassing the 

form, purpose and nature of manmade 

built environments and the 

interaction of their users. 

Layout, scale and massing of 

buildings that suggest an urban 

setting. 

urban village - A traffic-calmed, mixed-use 

neighbourhood maximising 

community involvement. 

whole-life - The overall impact of a 

development from sourcing of 

materials to the end of the 

buildings life-span. 

zero impact building - (1) Building which over the course 

of a year takes no more power 

than it returns to the National Grid 

(2) Building whose components 

can be dismantled and removed 

from a site without trace. 


glossary 



115



credits 



credits 

118 

STEERING GROUP MEMBERS 

Tony Every-Brown - Kent Developers’ Group 

(Chairman) 

Margaret Anderson - Soroptimists International 

Nicholas Antram - English Heritage 

Timothy Baker - Kent Institute of Art & Design 

Peter Court - House Builders Federation 

Jerry Crossley - Kent County Council 

Peter Day - Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors 

Ralph Dickens - Government Office for the South East 

Anne Griffiths - Womens’ Institute 

Trevor Hall - Kent Police 

Stuart Higham - Institution of Civil Engineers 

Tony Hillier - Hillreed Homes Ltd 

Steve Humphrey - Medway Council 

Nicholas Lee-Evans - Royal Institue of British Architects 

Frank Linden - University of Greenwich 

Hilary Moorby - Council for the Protection of Rural 

England 

Keith Nicholson - Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council 

Ian Parker - Kent Property Services 

David Petford - Maidstone Borough Council 

Bob Ratcliffe - Kent Federation of Amenity Societies 

Barry Shaw - The Kent Architecture Centre 

Jeff Stack - Shepway District Council 

Cliff Thurlow - Royal Town Planning Institute 

John Wale - Kent County Council (to April 1998) 

Stephen Walker - Learning & Business Link Co. Ltd. 

(Construction Sector Group) 

Rob White - Kent County Council (from April 1998) 

WORKING GROUP MEMBERS 

Mary Adams - Weald of Kent Preservation Society 

Nick Antram - English Heritage (Chairman, Achieving 

Good Design Group) 

John Arnold - Dartford Borough Council 

Timothy Baker - Kent Institute of Art and Design 

Keith Bothwell - Royal Institute of British Architects 

Douglas Brown - Thanet District Council 

Barry Chapman - Kent Police 

Peter Cobley - Kent County Council - Heritage 

Conservation 

Richard Cole - Architect 

Anthony Dance - Canterbury City Council 

Annette Hards - The Hards Partnership 

Jane Farmer - Kent County Council - Landscape Services 

Sheila Farmer - Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council 

Dick Feasey - Kent County Council - Land Use and 

Transportation 

Richard Harbord - Shepway District Council 

Annette Hards - The Hards Partnership 

Neil Hewitt - Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council 

Steve Hewlett - Medway Council 

Mike Higgins - Sevenoaks District Council 

Tony Hillier - Hillreed Homes 

Betty Johnson - Womens’ Institute 

David Joyner - Kent County Council - Transportation 

David Lerew - Dartford Borough Council 

Jan Loveless - Kent County Council - Social Services 

Gilian MacInnes - Maidstone Borough Council 

Martin McKay - Gravesham Borough Council 

Brian Morgan - Maidstone Borough Council (Chairman, 

Sustainability Group) 

Helen Mullin - Kent County Council - Landscape 

Services 

Martin Northern - Maidstone Borough Council 

Graham Norton - Wimpey Homes 

Martin Oman - Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council 

Geoff Pearson - Shepway District Council 

Keith Pye - House Builders Federation 

Mike Rushman - Berkeley Homes 

Nassar Sarrafan - Thanet District Council 

Robin Smith - Kent County Council - Property Services 

Pauline Stockwell - Weald of Kent Preservation Society 

Theresa Trussell - Kent County Council - Transport 

(Chairman, Innovation Group) 

Ray Wilkinson - Ashford Borough Council 

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS 

Jonathon Atkinson - Environment Agency 

Kim Bennett - Canterbury City Council 

Teresa Bennett - English Nature 

Stuart Black - Urban Villages Forum 

Peter Braithwaite - Ove Arup & partners 

John Byer - Kent County Council - Kent Property 

Services 

Andy Cameron - Alan Baxter Associates 

George Chandler - Kent County Council - Transport 

Planning 

Pip Chapelard - Kent County Council - Environmental 

Management 

Patrick Clarke - Llewellyn Davies 

Richard Davison - Edenbridge Town Council 

Mick Drury - Ward Homes 

Suzy Edwards - Building Research Establishment 

Daniel Everitt - Environment Agency 

John Farmer - Kent County Council - Transportation 

Client Services 

Sheila Frampton - Crest Homes, South east 

Andrew Grant - Consultant for the Earth Centre 

Nikki Greenleaf - Urban Villages Forum 

Adrian Griffiths - Chapman Taylor 

Rob Hancock - Kent County Council 

Peter Herbertson - Environment Agency 

Nigel Hepworth - Environment Agency 

Peter Johns - Formpave 

Andrew Jones - Kent County Council - Countryside 

Ruth Kay - The Kent Architecture Centre 

Gary Kennison - Kent County Council - Countryside 

Tom LaDell - Tom LaDell Associates 

Matthew Lally - Llewellyn Davies 

Mike Lowe - Ove Arup 



Debbie Morgan - Kent County Council 

Keith Mumford - Kent County Council 

John Payne - Kent County Council - Land Use & 

Transportation 

Alan Pett - New Ash Green Village Association 

Graham Phillips - Kent County Council 

Simon Pugh - David Lock Associates 

Lucy Robinson - Hyde Housing 

Steve Robinson - Folkestone & Dover Water 

Rob Scott - Dartford Borough Council 

Alan Stone - Essex County Council 

Louise Thomas - David Lock Associates 

Andrew Warnock - Consultant 

Paul Williams - Water Dynamics 

Michael Winter - Architect 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT GROUP 

Steve Humphrey; Keith Nicolson, David Petford, Jeff 

Stack, Rob White. 

PROJECT TEAM 

Tony Wimble; Mark Brightburn, Gary Fitch, Ashley 

Ralph, Abigail Raymond, Theresa Trussell, Julia Wallace. 

Special thanks to Anne Griffiths for kindly helping to edit 

this document and to Trudy Fabian for assistance with 

photography. 

Graphic Design by: 

Pollett & Cole Creative Marketing Limited, 

The Old Warehouse, 1 Albert Street, 

Whitstable, Kent CT5 1HP 

Telephone number: 01227 770790 

Fax number: 01227 770924 

E-mail: design@polcol.co.uk 

Printed by: 

Thanet Press Limited, 

Union Crescent, Margate, 

Kent CT9 1NU 

Telephone number: 01843 234800 

Fax number: 01843 228831 

E-mail: enquiries@thanet-press.co.uk 


credits 



119



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Handicaps - Towards a Barrier Free Environment, 1991 

Institute of Highways and Transportation, Guidelines for 

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Institute of Highways and Transportation, Guidelines for 

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Kent County Council, Kent Cycling Strategy (Draft), 1999 

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Kent County Council, Kent Property Services, Maintaining 

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Kent County Council, Land Use & Transportation, Vehicle 

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1998 

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1997 

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Oxford Brookes University, Countryside Benefits from 

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Rogers, R. Cities for a Small Planet, 1997, Faber & Faber 

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Royal Institute of British Architects Housing Group, An 

Index of Initiatives for Building Homes, 1997 

Royal Institute of British Architects, RIBA Profile, April 

1997 

Royal Society For the protection of Birds, Cliffe Pools 

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SERPLAN, Towards a Parking Strategy for the South East 

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South East England Tourist Board, Tourism in the 

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Swale Borough Council, Planting on New Developments, 

1993 

Swale Borough Council, The Conversion of Buildings into 

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Urban Villages Forum, Urban Villages, 1992 

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Vale Housing Association, Implementing an Environmental 

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Wandsworth Borough Council, Do it in Style, 1992 

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