Urban Design and
Conservation
Urban Design
Policy
Urban design is concerned with the physical and social quality
of settlements.
The following objectives were adopted by the Borough Council
to assist in the formulation of the policies contained in the Built
Environment chapter of the Borough of Crewe and Nantwich
Replacement Local Plan 2001.
- to promote good design principles and practice throughout
the Borough where any development or redevelopment is
proposed
- to provide an environment which is attractive to investment
and, in turn, to guide that investment to enhance the built
environment
- to provide a safe, comfortable, diverse and rich "public
realm" which is both legible and stimulating.
The achievement of these objectives will assist the Borough
Council in competing for investment from outside whilst, at the
same time, allowing residents and visitors to experience an
improved quality of life. The application of the Local
Plan policies contributes to achieving one of the main priorities
of the
Corporate Strategy, that of
Improving
the Areas Appearance.
General Requirements for New
Development.
It is important to ensure that new development does not have
an adverse impact on the surrounding environment. Certain
basic
criteria relating to amenity, design, access, infrastructure
and resources must therefore be met before development takes
place.
The Borough's Built Character
The built environment of the Borough varies widely between its
towns, villages and rural areas. In all these areas the
achievement of high standards of design is sought in order to
improve, maintain or enhance the built fabric of the Borough.
Design
Advice
Context
Context is an important aspect of building design and contextual
statements are often a requirement for planning applications.
Important issues are:
- what is the general character of the area, such as landscape,
townscape and neighbouring buildings?
- what is the topography of the site and the area, and how will
these influence the sort of building proposed?
- what can you learn about local materials and building
techniques from looking at neighbouring property?
- orientation - which way should the various parts of your scheme
face to make best use of privacy, views, light and passive
solar gain?
- setting - how will the proposal relate to the site and its
gardens or landscaping?
Scale
Scale means the size of a proposal in relation to its function and
surroundings. In small towns and villages, and in the open
countryside, buildings are usually relatively small in scale.
In order to make a positive contribution to their context and
setting, new buildings should have an appropriate scale.
Care needs to be taken with the following relationships:
- the proposal to its site;
- the proposal to neighbouring buildings and the townscape or
landscape, particularly as regards height and bulk;
- the span of the roof to the overall massing of the scheme
- if the proposal is the extension of an existing building, the
extension should appear secondary to the original building;
- the scale of lesser elements of the design (such as windows and
doors) to those on neighbouring buildings.
Style
The Borough Council favours good modern architecture if this is
achievable. In some circumstances. however, buildings in
historic styles may be appropriate. What is important, if
this approach is taken, is that the historic style is used
accurately. Poor quality pastiche will not be
acceptable.
Details
Architectural details are vitally important to a good design,
whatever style is used. Particular attention should be given
to local traditions in:
- brickwork and stonework;
- roofs and eaves and verge detailing;
- windows and doors, setting frames well into openings to give
strong shadow lines;
- mouldings with a variety of surfaces that will catch the light
and give "life" to the elevations.
Materials
Often the success of a new
building (in its setting) depends on the use of locally occurring
materials. Nothing jars more than a new building with the
wrong colour of brick or stonework not laid in the local
tradition. The Borough Council will endeavour to provide
advice on suitable materials and sources.
Development Control team
General advice on the design aspects of most schemes can be
obtained by contacting the Duty Planning officer through the
Planning
Help desk. For larger schemes and in sensitive
areas the Borough Council will secure specialist design advice to
assist applicants at an early stage of scheme design.
Planning Officers are pleased to give advice before a planning
application is made. This should take place at the earliest
possible stage, before you are committed to an approach that may
not be acceptable.
Officer comments are given in good faith to help applicants and
their designers understand what is likely to be required.
However they always stress that pre-application discussions are
separate from the formal process of determining a planning
application and the officer advice does not bind the Council or its
officers at the application stage.
Conservation
Policy
In addition there are many other areas which have special
character and identity. The diversity of these areas is
reflected in policies which provide the Local Planning Authority
with the opportunity to ensure that new development harmonises with
its location.
The Local Plan includes polices relating to development within
conservation areas and development affecting listed
buildings.
Advice
General advice on the design aspects of most schemes can be
obtained by contacting the Duty Planning officer through the
Planning
Help desk. The Borough Council also employs a
conservation officer who is able to give design
advice on schemes in conservation areas and those affecting listed
buildings. Applicants are advised to seek advice
at the earliest opportunity and before submission of a planning or
listed building consent application.
Building Control
Many schemes also require building regulation
approval. The detailed compliance with Building
Regulations and the advice of other specialist agencies such as the
Fire Officer need to be considered alongside the
general design principles of a scheme. Early
consultation is
once again advised.
Landscaping
The way in which a new building
fits in to its landscape or townscape setting is a crucial aspect
of its design. This aspect should be considered at the
earliest design stage. Hard and soft landscaping should
reflect the character of the locality. In particular, the use
of locally occurring native trees and shrubs will help to ensure
that soft landscaping thrives.
Advice about Trees and Tree Preservation can be found by
clicking
here.