Policy information sourced from Windsor and Maidenhead Local Plan
QP3 Character and Design of New Development
New development will be expected to contribute towards achieving sustainable high quality design in the Borough. A development proposal will be considered high quality design and acceptable where it achieves the following design principles:
- Is climate change resilient and incorporates sustainable design and construction which:
- minimises energy demand and water use
- maximises energy efficiency;
- and minimises waste.
- Respects and enhances the local, natural or historic character of the environment, paying particular regard to urban grain, layouts, rhythm, density, height, skylines, scale, bulk, massing, proportions, trees, biodiversity, water features, enclosure and materials;
- Provides layouts that are well connected, permeable and legible and which encourage walking and cycling;
- Delivers easy and safe access and movement for pedestrians, cyclists, cars and service vehicles, maximising the use of sustainable modes of transport where possible;
- Respects and retains existing high quality townscapes and landscapes and helps create attractive new townscapes and landscapes;
- Retains important local viewsofhistoricbuildingsor featuresand makes the mostofopportunities to improve views wherever possible (including views of key landmarks such as Windsor Castle, Eton College and the River Thames);
- Creates safe, accessible places where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion. Well connected, attractive, legible places with strong active frontages will be expected;
- Incorporates interesting frontages and design details to provide visual interest, particularly at pedestrian level;
- Designed to minimise the visual impact of traffic and parking;
- Protects trees and vegetation worthy of retention and includes comprehensive green and blue infrastructure schemes that are integrated into proposals;
- Provides high quality soft and hard landscaping where appropriate;
- Provides sufficient levels of high quality private and public amenity space;
- Has no unacceptable effect on the amenities enjoyed by the occupants of adjoining properties in terms of privacy, light, disturbance, vibration, pollution, dust, smell and access to sunlight and daylight;
- Is accessible to all and capable of adaption to meet future needs;
- Provides adequate measures for the storage of waste, including recycling waste bins, in a manner that is integrated into the scheme to minimise visual impact
- Fronts onto, rather than turns its back on waterways and other water bodies.
For more information please see the Local Plan