Policy GP/PP: People and place responsive design

The National Planning Policy Framework, was recently updated to emphasise the importance of good design, and states that, ‘The creation of high quality, beautiful and sustainable buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve.’ 

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

has a strong track record of delivering well designed places with many award-winning schemes in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.  Since 2008, the core themes covering Community,

Connectivity describes the extent to which urban forms permit (or restrict) movement of people or vehicles in different directions. Permeability is generally considered a positive attribute of an urban design, as it permits ease of movement and avoids severing neighbourhoods. Urban forms which lack permeability, e.g. those severed by arterial roads, or with many long cul-de-sacs, are considered to discourage movement on foot and encourage longer journeys by car.

, Climate and Character set out in the Cambridgeshire Quality Charter for Growth, have been used to clearly identify the expected quality of new developments.

Aiming for design excellence is crucial for all types of development, whether building or open space, regardless of tenure, use or ownership. Innovative, high quality design must be realised to ensure that new development respects and integrates with existing character, assets and settings, while also constituting high quality architecture. This is a key factor for successful placemaking as well as a key challenge.

Changes to national planning policy have recently introduced a National Design Guide and National Model

A set of illustrated design requirements that provide specific, detailed parameters for the physical development of a site or area. The graphic and written components of the code should build upon a design vision, such as a masterplan or other design and development framework for a site or area.

. Local planning authorities should prepare area-based character assessments, local design guides or codes, consistent with these and tailored to the circumstances of the local area following community involvement to reflect local character and design preferences. The Councils have a range of design guidance already in place, ranging from guidance on tall buildings and skyline included in the Cambridge

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

, the South Cambridgeshire District Design guide, to individual village designs guides. We will be considering how we update our guidance to reflect the new approaches introduced nationally.

To help meet this challenge,

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

is establishing a Place and Design Quality Panel, formed from reviewing existing Design Review services at both Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Councils, to support its aspirations to raise design quality across the

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

area, and has conducted a site typologies study to understand, protect, utilise and enhance the valued characteristics of different areas in the plan. These should ensure that the key aspects and qualities of the built form and varying contexts across the

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

.

Some of the key feedback received during the First Conversation consultation included: 

• that design is an important theme of the local plan 

• ensuring that development is place specific and climate development. 

• policies should allow imaginative and contemporary design 

• recognising that the historic environment forms part of Great Places. 

• consider issues like accessibility and connectivity 

• apply the principles set out in the Cambridgeshire Quality Charter 

• and that we should not grant planning permission for poorly designed development. 

No policy – Not considered a reasonable alternative due to requirement for plans to set out a clear design vision and provide clarity about design expectations.

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

  : Topic paper 5: Great Places  

South Cambridgeshire

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018: 

• Policy HQ/1: Design Principles  

Cambridge

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018 

• Policy 55: Responding to context 

• Policy 56: Creating successful places 

Our consultation for this phase is now closed.