compromising its important role and function: sustainable farming enterprises recreation and necessary community facilities. unless there are special circumstances. W&R – BE2 Built Environment: Building Standards and Design 1. New development must conform to the criteria defined in any district wide Design Guidance or Building Standards Policies contained within the Stroud District Council Local Plan and should contribute positively to the character of the two villages, maintaining the overall shape of the villages and their sense of place P8, P17, P43, P55, P56, P59, P61, The NDP promotes sustainable designs that complement the landscape and character of the Parish. The Parish has a diverse range of buildings and these are encouraged. 2. Developments consisting of more than one property should have those properties individually designed so that the richness of the varied architectural character of existing property continues and is extended into the future P55, P61 The Parish has a diverse range of housing design and this should be continued and promoted. 3. Design of new conversions and extensions shall reflect the character of nearby buildings and their setting, including scale of development and choice of materials P55, P61 The NDP promotes high standards in architecture, enhancing the settings and sensitive to the local characteristics of the parish 4. Sustainable construction and design features which complement the character of the area will be supported. P8 The NDP recognises that the design of buildings can improve the of people and communities by complementing the area and providing / using sustainable resources. Recycling facilities and sustainable drainage are encouraged and will be supported in developments. 5. All ‘spoil’ generated as a result of new build, conversions and extensions shall be retained on site and used for landscaping where physically possible. Ch10 The NDP promotes sustainable of materials and this is in conformity with the NPPF
6. The inclusion of bin and recycling storage facilities will be encouraged in all new build properties to stimulate sustainable waste management within the parish. Ch10 The NDP promotes sustainable of materials. Recycling facilities and sustainable drainage are encouraged and will be supported in developments. W&R – BE3 Built Environment: Heritage and Social 1. Designated heritage assets including listed buildings, monuments and conservation areas will be preserved and enhanced where possible in accordance with their significance and their importance to local distinctiveness, character and sense of place. P17, P65, P115, P126, P128, P129, P131 The NDP promotes conserving heritage assets to be enjoyed by future generations, in conformity with the NPPF 2. Non-designated local heritage assets will be defined against the criteria set out in Appendix C. Planning applications for demolition, development or substantial alterations of buildings or structures defined as local heritage assets will be expected to show what consideration has been given to retaining: a) The asset itself b) Its most distinctive and important features c) The positive elements of its setting and immediate surroundings d) The contribution of the asset and its setting makes to the character of the local area P17, P55, P115, P126, P128, P129, P131, P135 The NDP demonstrates its acknowledgement of heritage assets and their importance within the parish, wishing to conserve them in a manner appropriate to their significance. This is in conformity with the NPPF 2. Developments that deliver at least 30% of affordable accommodation that also conform to the above policies will be supported P54, P159, P173, P174 In line with the Stroud Local Plan and to meet the needs of types of housing. This is dependent on the viability of any land that may be identified and the impact on the area. As part of the NDP a Housing Needs Assessment was undertaken to identify the housing need. W&R – LF1 Facilities 1. Developments that enhance the vibrancy and vitality of the parish will be supported P7 The NDP supports sustainable development that enhances the vibrancy of the community, this is in conformity with the NPPF
e) should promote sustainable transport by providing ready access to local facilities by foot and by bicycle where it is practical to do so 3. Opportunities will be sought to improve pedestrian safety, particularly on the Main Road of the crossroads with Kitesnest and Ruscombe Road. P32 The NDP encourages that development takes into account the safety of users for safe and suitable access to developments, in conformity with the NPPF W&R – LC1 Landscape Character 1. New development will be in keeping with existing settlement patterns, maintaining the shape of the villages within the landscape and protecting their distinctive identity and landscape character P55 The NDP supports development that will enhance and maintain the villages to promote sustainability, in conformity with the NPPF 2. Development will be supported where it: a) conserves the landscape and scenic beauty of the parish and the key characteristics of this part of the Cotswold’s AONB b) safeguards open countryside and cherished public from inside and outside the parish as defined in the Landscape Character Assessment c) does not adversely impact on existing horizons P115 The NDP cherishes the fact the villages are within an AONB and promote the conserving of the landscape and scenic beauty of the area, this is in conformity with the NPPF. 3. Development needs to retain the fields and farmland to the south and west of the parish that serve as a genuine gateway into the Cotswold AONB P115 The NDP cherishes the fact the villages are wholly within an AONB and promote and support the conserving of the landscape, natural environment and scenic beauty of the area, this is in conformity with the NPPF. 4. Development should seek to conserve landscape features such as hedgerows, dry stone walls, fields, woodlands and water courses. P7, P109, P117, P118 The NDP supports the conservation of biodiversity features of the landscape and minimising impact in the parish and is therefore in conformity with the NPPF W&R – NE1 Natural Environment 1. Development shall conserve the integrity of P109, P117, P118 The NDP supports the conservation of biodiversity features of the landscape in the parish and is
4. Developments that provide additional local facilities in line with local need will be encouraged. CP3, CP6, CP14 The NDP supports developments that provide or enhance facilities through S106 monies or Community Infrastructure Levy. This is in conformity with the Stroud Local Plan W&R – LE1 Local Economy 1. Enterprise development which is of a size and scale that does not demonstrably have a significant and adverse effect upon the character, infrastructure and environment of the local villages will be encouraged. CP11 The NDP supports new business development in line with the character of the parish. This is in conformity with the Stroud Plan W&R – TC1 Transport and Communications 1. Future developments will mitigate any identified significant impacts on the transport network CP13, EI12, ES3 The NDP supports development that improves the Highways and reduces risk within the parish. This is in conformity with the Stroud Plan 2. Developments a) should not have a severe impact on the existing road infrastructure b) that are likely to significantly increase traffic movements should contribute towards the provision of turning points and passing places on the parish’s narrow c) should promote sustainable transport by providing access to public transport facilities and services, where it is practical to do so d) should provide adequate provision of parking e) should promote sustainable transport by providing ready access to local facilities by foot and by bicycle where it is practical to do so CP13, EI12, ES3 The NDP supports development that caters for the of the parish’s infrastructure as identified in the NDP, such as improved pavements on the Main Road. This is in conformity with the Stroud Local Plan 3. Opportunities will be sought to improve pedestrian safety, EI12 The NDP supports development that improves areas that have
As required by the relevant regulations this screening opinion was circulated to the following organisations so that a determination be achieved in consultation with the relevant statutory bodies. The statutory bodies concerned were as follows: Natural England Historic England Environment Agency. The following documents were supplied to the above statutory bodies: Stroud District Council – SEA and HRA Screening Opinion, A copy of the Whiteshill and Ruscombe NDP, Assessment of the contribution of the Whiteshill and Ruscombe NDP to the achievement of sustainable development, SEA/HRA Screening Flowchart prepared by Ecological Planning & Research (EPR) Consultancy. 12. 2 Consultation Period The consultation period on the Stroud District Council – SEA and HRA Screening Opinion was from 2nd September 2015 until 7th October 2015.