Policy information sourced from Runnymede Local Plan
EE1: Townscape and Landscape Quality
Whether within the Borough’s urban areas or Green Belt, all development proposals will be expected to achieve high quality and inclusive design which responds to the local context including the built, natural and historic character of the area while making efficient use of land. In particular, development proposals will be supported where they:
- Create attractive and resilient places which make a positive contribution to the Borough’s townscape, public realm and/or landscape setting and which will endure into the long term, paying particular regard to layout, form, scale, materials, detailing and any guidance set out in adopted planning documents including Neighbourhood Plans and the Council’s Design SPD;
- Create developments which promote social interaction and design out crime by maximising opportunities for natural surveillance, safe and attractive shared public spaces, active street frontages and legible and accessible connections between people and places for pedestrian and cycling movement and access to public transport, local facilities, green and blue infrastructure;
- Contribute to and enhance the quality of the public realm and/or landscape setting through high quality and inclusive hard and soft landscaping schemes. This will be demonstrated and implemented through an appropriate landscaping strategy which takes account of existing and proposed townscape/landscape character and features;
- Ensure no adverse impact on the amenities of occupiers of the development proposed or to neighbouring property or uses and provide an appropriate standard of private amenity space.
Development proposals will be expected to take account of a scheme’s design at the earliest opportunity and demonstrate through the application process how design principles set out in this Policy and adopted planning documents have been met. For major developments, a Design & Access Statement should set out the design options considered through the design process and how these have evolved into the preferred design.
For more information please see the Local Plan