Development Briefs

2.17 For all major development proposals, a design principles statement will be required from the developer, outlining the underlying principles upon which the proposal is based. It will need to include reference to masterplanning where appropriate, and an explanation as to how suitable partners (such as the health authority, police, public transport operators and parish councils) will be involved in the process. Ideas for achieving locally distinctive forms of sustainable development in terms of broad concepts should be identified.

2.18 As a guide, all proposals on sites of more than ten dwellings, or 0.3 hectares or more, will require a development brief or site-specific design guidance to be prepared before planning permission can be granted. Development briefs should accord with relevant design guidance, Supplementary Planning Documents and other planning guidance, and where appropriate should identify:

a) the mix of housing and affordable housing provision for a site (or details of unit size and mix for employment sites), and the density of housing across the site;
b) the social and physical infrastructure needed to serve the development;
c) major landscaping and structural planting necessary so the development can be absorbed into the landscape and local biodiversity;
d) details of the manner in which any existing and proposed wildlife, landscape or historic features will be incorporated and enhanced within development proposals;
e) provision for safe and attractive footpaths and cycle linkages to be kept, or created, to link the new development into nearby areas. (In particular, links should be created to district centres, including access to all workplaces, shops, and community facilities, and give access to the surrounding countryside);
f) details of vehicular movement, parking and public transport linkages;
g) details of phasing, funding release stages and delivery of social and physical infrastructure;
h) details of materials, design features and specific design guidelines (such as height, layout, density, mix of uses, etc) for buildings and other townscape features to achieve local distinctiveness; and
i) measures to promote sustainable living patterns, including a Travel Plan.

2.19 Where briefs have not been produced by the Borough Council developers can take the lead in their formulation. This must be in consultation with the Borough Council and will require formal adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document or guidance. This policy does not apply to those specific sites where a masterplan is required.

POLICY DS5: DESIGN GUIDANCE AND DEVELOPMENT BRIEFS

Major development will be permitted only where proposals accord with any relevant design guidance and development briefs approved by the Local Planning Authority or other adopted Supplementary Planning Documents.

Note: Developers should contact the local planning authority at an early stage of the development process to ascertain the requirements for a development brief. Major development is defined as 10 dwellings or more or 0.3 hectares or more.