Within this context, our local evidence suggests a need to introduce more local, specific policies, to reflect local distinctiveness and ensure that any development proposals respect the importance of our local historic and heritage assets and the traditional built form of our settlements. Importantly, our policies are intended to help guide development proposals on how best to integrate new development into our existing built and natural environments, steering away from blandness in design and towards innovation and respect. Most of the housing in the parish was built in the early 19th Century of local chert stone with a slate roof, with a few remaining earlier builds having been made of cob. There is a strong presence of properties with thatched roofs. Post World War Two, the Local Authority built two clusters of housing at Tilery and Hillside. There was little development between the 1950s and 1980s when Drakes Meadow was built as a mixed development of two bedroomed starter homes and four bedroomed family houses and large bungalows. Maintain the Built Character of our Parish through High Quality Design Justification for our policy Our policies are intended to help guide development proposals to best integrate small scale new development into our existing build and natural environment. Given the quality of our build environment in some parts of the parish and the varied quality in other parts, together with the need for existing and future developments that respect the beauty of our natural landscape in the AONB, we consider it important to protect and conserve the character of our existing built environment. We recognise that where change does take place, it does so in a sympathetic and sensitive way for our parish and its setting within the AONB landscape. Therefore, the design and materials of any new development should take this into account. The Blackdown AONB has developed design guidance for housing and we endorse its content and advice through this Plan. The Design Guide for Houses should be taken into account in addition to the local character and setting of the proposed development site when making proposals for development in Yarcombe. The guidance sets out a number of general design principles5 which are: Whether new or alterations, good detailing, appropriate materials and sensitive treatment of the spaces around buildings are essential elements in achieving a successful and sympathetic scheme. Locations for new buildings and development should follow the traditional settlement pattern
however should not be detrimental to the character of the area or our natural assets. Paragraph 28 of the NPPF recognises value and states that neighbourhood plans should “promote the retention and development of local services and community facilities in villages such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship6 This is echoed in Policy CC4/A of the Blackdown AONB Management Plan, 2014-19 which advocates “support the retention or enhancement of community facilities, services and amenities where compatible with the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty and the special qualities of the AONB.”7 Policy CFS1 – Improvements to local facilities and amenities Proposals seek to enhance or improve Yarcombe’s existing local community facilities and amenities will be supported where: i) they directly serve the community in Yarcombe ii) it can be demonstrated that the community benefit outweighs the impact of development iii) they do not have an adverse impact on the special character of the area’s natural and built environments. Key Supporting Evidence Blackdown Hills Management Plan 2014-2019 Blackdown Hills Community Plan 2011 Yarcombe Parish Plan 2005 Yarcombe NP Questionnaire report, Community Council for Devon for Yarcombe Parish Council, August 2014 Yarcombe Aims and Objectives Consultation, November 2014 (More relevant evidence is summarized in the Yarcombe Written Evidence Report) 6 Paragraph28, National Planning Policy Framework, Department for Communities and Government 7 Policy CC4/A, Blackdown Hills Management Plan, Blackdown Hills AONB 2013 Encourage new retail units, such as a shop Justification for our policy
scale and unobtrusive renewable energy providing it is sensitively sited. energy schemes are sensitively sited and appropriately landscaped to protect the essential qualities of the AONB. b) Resist scale and obtrusive renewable energy schemes that are likely to have an impact on the enjoyment of the natural and built environment and are contrary to our Vision. Energy Schemes i)Proposals for renewable or low carbon energy schemes will be supported where they are small scale, sensitively sited and appropriate landscaping used where necessary to protect the quality of Yarcombe’s and the Blackdown Hills AONB’s landscape, biodiversity, tranquility and wildlife habitats. ii) Proposals for small scale renewable and low carbon energy schemes will need to demonstrate how they will not have an adverse impact on the quality of Yarcombe’s and the Blackdown Hills AONB’s landscape, biodiversity and wildlife habitats. iii) In addition to other policies in this Plan, proposals should take into account the advice given in the “Renewable Energy in the Blackdown Hills”. Policy ELC2 - Large Scale Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Schemes i)Large-scale renewable or low carbon energy schemes that are likely to have an impact on enjoyment of the natural and built environment and on the quality of the AONB’s landscape, biodiversity and wildlife habitats will not be supported. ii) Proposals for large scale renewable and low carbon energy schemes will need to demonstrate how they will not have an adverse impact on the quality of Yarcombe’s and the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s landscape, biodiversity and wildlife habitats.