Building and Landscape Design
Attractive and lively buildings, streets, parks and
neighbourhoods all contribute to making the area a special place
which is a pleasure to live in. Most importantly, those with a
mixture of compatible uses and historic character. The quality of
our surroundings is also now recognised as a vital factor in
attracting and retaining businesses, employers and tourists.
Current government policy asks developers to "think
imaginatively in the future as to how proposals can incorporate
mixed land uses, to produce lively and successful developments and
provide a positive contribution to the quality of our towns and
cities."
The district has many historic buildings, so it is
important that we should preserve and enhance our architectural
heritage. It is also vital that we strive to improve the quality of
design of new development and avoid some of the mistakes of the
past.
Design of New Development
Good design should be the aim of everyone involved in the
development process, but it is primarily the responsibility of
designers and their clients. Nevertheless, the appearance of
proposed development and its relationship to its surroundings are
material considerations in determining planning applications
Planning Policy Statement.
But just what is good design and is there more to it than
personal taste?
Good design is concerned with all the practical aspects of
building design; soundness of construction, energy conservation,
drainage, access, car parking, daylight and over-shadowing for
instance, as well as quality of appearance. But well designed
buildings can enrich our surroundings and cultural life.
Good design is about quality more than style and taste. Our
philosophy is that new development should meet all the necessary
practical design considerations, that it should not damage the
environment, and that it should respect its surroundings. In
Conservation Areas and the older parts
of town this will normally point towards a more 'traditional'
approach, not necessarily slavishly copying the past but
complementing it, with the use of traditional forms and materials.
In other locations, such as business parks or free-standing sites,
imaginative modern designs which make a 'statement' are positively
welcomed. In all locations, however, the intrinsic 'quality' of the
design will be the chief benchmark.
Urban Design
Urban design is the process of shaping the
physical setting for life in cities, towns and villages. It is the
art of making places and can involve the design of buildings,
groups of buildings, spaces and landscapes, and establishing the
processes that make successful development possible.
- Good design arises from a thorough understanding of place and
context
- Development should seek to contribute towards sustainable
communities and local distinctiveness
The City has an Urban Design Guide and Public Realm Framework
which is an adopted SPD (Supplementary Planning Document). A
further resource is the SPD ‘Achieving Well Designed
Housing’.
Public Art
The Council encourages public art as an integral part of new
development or refurbishments. Public art enriches our
surroundings, symbolises community identity and adds value to
developments. More information can be found through Arts Council
England (external link).