Policy information sourced from Thorpe Neighbourhood Development Plan

TH5 High Quality Design

Proposals for development will be supported, providing they accord with the design principles relevant to the character area within which they are located, as identified below and shown on the Policies Map and are in line with the expectations of the National Design Guide:

Character Area A. Development Proposals in the Thorpe village historic core Conservation Area should:

  • retain and reinforce the prominence of mature trees and hedgerows on road frontages. Consideration should be given to replacing native hedgerows where they have been lost;
  • safeguard the following key views as shown on Policy Inset Map 2 and described in the Key Views Paper which is attached as an Appendix to this plan:
    • Easterly and westerly views along Coldharbour Lane between The Red Lion public house and Eastley End House
    • South easterly view from Coldharbour Lane to St Ann’s Hill
    • View from Village Road across Forty Acre towards Egham Hill and Royal Holloway
    • South easterly view from Mill Lane across Mercer’s Field towards St Ann’s Hill
  • not harm the contribution that the visually distinct historic street pattern makes to the strongly identifiable sense of enclosure and local identity created by narrow roads, buildings and the Grade II listed high walls, particularly Rosemary Lane and Ten Acre Lane;
  • not harm the contribution that the landmark tower of St Mary’s Church, and Church Approach, make to the historic core;
  • Building materials should be sympathetic to the distinctive character of the Conservation Area. Traditional materials, such as red stock brick, painted brick, smooth render, timber framing and flint details, clay tile and natural slate, should be used wherever possible and as a matter of course on public facing aspects.

Character Area B. Development proposals in the Area of mid-late C20 housing off Green Road should:

  • retain and reinforce the prominence of generous planting to soften the visual impact on the semi-rural character of the area;
  • not harm, and where possible enhance, the role of trees and woodland at the Frank Muir Memorial Field, in screening the village and the M25.

Development proposals will only be supported where they do not cause unacceptable harm to archaeological heritage assets and/or their setting.

For more information please see the Neighbourhood Development Plan