Policy information sourced from the Langford Neighbourhood Plan

PD3: Residential Design

Proposals must demonstrate, using up-to-date information/data, how they have taken into account all of the following:

  1. Connections
    How the development is integrated into its surroundings by reinforcing existing connections and creating new ones; whilst also respecting existing buildings and land uses along the boundaries of the development site. Developers must demonstrate how they have had regard to movement (vehicular, pedestrian and cycle – Policies TM1, TM2, and TM3).
  2. Facilities and Services
    How the development provides (or is sustainably close to) community facilities, such as shops, schools, workplaces, health and spiritual services, parks, play areas, pubs or cafes.
  3. Public transport
    Good access to public transport to help reduce car dependency and support public transport use (Policy TM4).
  4. Meeting local housing requirements
    Development should provide a mix of housing types and tenures that suit local requirements, as indicated in the Housing Needs Survey.
  5. Character
    Development should seek to create a place with a locally inspired or otherwise distinctive character which does not conflict with that of the existing housing stock.
  6. Working with the site and its context
    Development should take account of the presence of watercourses (including those not maintained by the Environment Agency or Bedfordshire IDB) and the potential for them to be a source of flooding. The low permeability of the Langford soils may impact upon the use and design of SUDS and a management train approach should be considered. Drainage studies and proposals should include reference to properties downstream of the development site to ensure their continued sustainability. Development should take advantage of existing topography, landscape features (including water courses), wildlife habitats, existing buildings, site orientation and microclimates.
  7. Creating well defined streets and spaces
    Buildings should be designed and positioned with landscaping, to define and enhance streets and spaces. Buildings should be designed to enable safe and effective turning at street corners.
  8. Easy for people to find their way around
    Developments should be designed to make it easy for people to find their way around and to recognise distinctive places.
  9. Streets for all
    Streets should be designed in a way that encourages low vehicle speeds and allows them to function as social spaces (Policy TM2).
  10. Car Parking
    All new developments within the Langford Parish are required to provide parking within their site boundary, or nearby, off the public highway. This is to meet the expected demand of the development, without requiring the use of public roads as overflow parking. The car parking standards are set out in the Central Bedfordshire Council’s Design Guide and Parking Strategy and Design Guide. There is an expectation that the recommended parking standards will be met, or exceeded.
    The use of hybrid and electric cars is encouraged by installing public charging points and requiring developers to install electric vehicle charging points in new developments (Policy TM2, in line with Government Policy).
    Proposals for public parking provision will be supported in this respect which:
    a. Improve car parking to support key village services including leisure, spiritual, shops and other community assets
    b. Preserve and improve existing car parking provision to serve local residents
  11. Public and private spaces
    Public and private spaces should be clearly defined and designed to be attractive, well managed and safe. There should be suitable private outdoor amenity space for new dwellings, which is above the minimum urban specifications found in the CBC Design Guide.
  12. Permeability
    Site entrances, exits and perimeters should be designed in such a way as to reduce the permeable nature of the site. This will improve community safety within the site.
  13. External storage
    There should be adequate external storage space for bins and recycling facilities as well as for cycles, mobility scooters, pushchairs etc

For more information, please visit the Langford Neighbourhood Plan