Policy information sourced from the West Horsley Neighbourhood Plan

WH2: Design Management in the Village Settlement

Development proposals in the Settlement Area (covering areas of Character Areas 4, 7, 8 and 9), as shown on the Policies Map, will be supported provided they have full regard to the West Horsley Character Area Report, the Locally Important Roadside and Rural Views identified in Figure 13, and the following design principles:

  • Where adjoining the boundaries of the built-up area of the village, the emphasis will be on the provision of housing types and built forms that help maintain an appropriate transitional edge to the village and maintain local character and countryside views;
  • Buildings should be of good design and use high quality materials. Scales, heights and form of buildings should be sympathetic to the existing built environment;
  • Within the areas to the of west of The Street, on Silkmore Lane and Ripley Lane, development shall be designed to retain the open feel and significant views across open farmland;
  • East of The Street, proposals should conform to the existing stronger building line regarding frontages and building height and form;
  • Building plots will have low front boundary structures, landscape buffers, low walls or mature hedging rather than timber close-boarded fencing. Footpaths on frontages should be provided along key routes within the area to encourage walking;
  • Retain established healthy trees and avoid overly extensive tree surgery unless the tree condition has made it unsafe, in which case replacement should be made with suitable native species;
  • Housing design criteria to reflect the locale, reference being made to the established housing styles in each specific area with particular reference to arts and crafts features and use of natural materials common in the area, as defined in Evidence Base: West Horsley Character Appraisal Report (October 2017);
  • Where appropriate, the provision of ‘pocket parks’ and natural green spaces for wildlife should be included;
  • Parking provision should not overly dominate the streetscene and should maintain the character of the area. Garages should be visually subservient to the main dwelling or other principal.

For more information please see the Neighbourhood Plan