Epping Forest - DM9 High Quality Design

DM9 High Quality Design

Strategic Sites

The Council will require Strategic Masterplans to be prepared and developed for the Garden Communities set out in Policy SP4 and other relevant allocated sites as set out in Chapter 5. Strategic Masterplans will be produced by the applicant, in partnership with the Council, and the local community, and be capable of being adopted by the Council as Supplementary Planning Documents. Design Codes will be required to be produced and agreed with the Council to support the implementation of the Strategic Masterplans. All relevant applications should be accompanied by Strategic Masterplans and Design Codes which demonstrate that the development requirements set out in Policy have been accommodated and which have been endorsed by the Council.
The Council will require the use of its Quality Review Panels for schemes of more than 50 homes or 5,000 square metres of employment/other floorspace at appropriate stages, to be agreed with the Council. Other smaller schemes which are complex or locally sensitive may also be appropriate for review.

Design Standards

Development proposals must relate positively to their locality, having regard to:
1. building heights;
2. the form, scale and massing around the site;
3. the network of routes and spaces connecting locally and more widely;
4. the rhythm of any neighbouring or local plot and building widths and, where appropriate, existing building lines;
5. the need to provide active frontages to the public realm; and
6. distinctive local architectural styles, detailing and materials.
Development proposals for extensions or alterations to residential buildings will be required to respect and/or complement the form, setting, period, and detailing of the original buildings. Matching or complementary materials should be used.

Landscaping

Public Realm

Where appropriate development proposals must contribute positively to the public realm and to any public spaces to which it is physically or functionally connected.

Connectivity and Permeability

Development proposals are expected to maximise connectivity within, and through the development and links to the surrounding areas including the provision of high quality and safe pedestrian and cycle routes.

Privacy and Amenity

Development proposals must take account of the privacy and amenity of the development’s occupiers and neighbours, and integrate occupier comfort and wellbeing within the design and layout. The Council will expect proposals to:
1. provide good sunlight, daylight and open aspects to all parts of the development and adjacent buildings and land (including any private amenity space);
2. minimise risks of overheating and provide adequate ventilation within development proposals;
3. avoid overlooking and loss of privacy detrimental to the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers and the occupiers of the proposed development;
4. not result in an over-bearing or overly enclosed form of development which materially impacts on either the outlook of occupiers of neighbouring properties or the occupiers of the proposed development; and
5. address issues of vibration, noise, fumes, odour, light pollution, air quality and microclimatic conditions likely to arise from the development or from neighbouring uses or activities.
All development proposals must demonstrate that they are in general conformity with relevant Local Development Documents, Design Guides, Neighbourhood Plans or Village Design Statements adopted or endorsed by the Council.
Where appropriate, the design of development proposals must integrate health and wellbeing principles and any relevant Health and Wellbeing strategies.