Policy information sourced from the Maulden Neighbourhood Plan
M3: Character and design of development
- Development will be required to respect, and where practical, enhance the local natural and built character and vernacular of the area, preserving the settlement ends, reflecting architectural variety found locally and using materials that are in keeping with those used in existing buildings in the immediate locality. This will help to avoid building design that is inappropriate to the Plan area. Innovation in design will be supported where this demonstrably enhances the quality of the built form.
- As appropriate to their scale, nature and location, development proposals are expected to address the following criteria:
- The guidance contained within the CBC Design Guide and the CBC Landscape Character Assessment; and
- The density of any new development that is not on strategic site allocations, should be in keeping with the immediate local context respecting the rural nature of the parish (15 to 25dph), whilst ensuring the efficient use of land and, where appropriate, meeting identified local housing needs. It is recognised that some sites may be able to accommodate a higher density where it can be clearly demonstrated this would respect, and be sensitive to, the character and particular context of the locality in which it is located; and
- Respecting the height, scale and local vernacular of the surrounding buildings in the context of the local topography; and
- Make a positive contribution to the character of the area when viewed from the main highway and routeway approaches into the settlements: Flitwick Road, Clophill Road, Limbersey Lane; and
- Not have a significantly detrimental impact on local views as set out in Policy M10; and
- Designing safe and secure layouts that meet the requirements of ‘Secured by Design’ and minimise the likelihood and fear of crime; and Promoting the use of sustainable transport, in accordance with Policy M12, by providing space for secure cycle parking and future-proofed electric vehicle charging points, in accordance with Policy M5; and
- Providing off-road car parking for residents, visitors and service vehicles, in accordance with the guidelines established by the Central Bedfordshire Design Guide and the Parking Strategy20 which forms part of the Local Transport Plan; and
- Being accompanied by a landscape strategy setting out hard and soft landscaping principles, including the treatment of all boundaries, appropriate to the development and its setting; and
- Preserving and sensitively incorporating existing natural features such as trees and hedgerow/ hedgerow boundaries within the site, with the aim of delivering a net environmental benefit for local people and wildlife; and
- Ensuring that areas requiring service and maintenance, including watercourses, are accessible at all times.
- Development proposals affecting heritage assets, including non-designated heritage assets, either directly or indirectly, should conserve and, where possible, enhance the significance and setting of the asset. This could include, where appropriate, the delivery of development that will make a positive contribution to, or better reveal the significance of, the heritage asset, or reflect and enhance local character and distinctiveness with regard given to the prevailing styles of design and use of materials in a local area. Proposals are expected to be accompanied by a Heritage Statement.
- Development proposals should demonstrate that they have considered the potential impact on above and below ground archaeological deposits to ensure that evidence which could contribute to the understanding of human activity and past environments is not lost. Where a scheme has a potential impact on archaeological remains (below or above ground), a Heritage Statement or similar should be prepared in support of planning applications. This should incorporate a field evaluation in addition to desk-based investigation of archaeological potential.
For more information, please visit the Maulden Neighbourhood Plan