Policy information sourced from the Woking Hook Heath Neighbourhood Plan 2015-2027

BE1: Design of New Developments

In order to maintain or enhance the character of the Area, all developments should

  1. be designed to a high quality and closely reflect the existing rhythm, proportion, materials, height, scale, bulk, massing and storey heights of nearby buildings. Where possible, plot sizes should be similar to those adjacent and in other cases within the mid-range for Arcadian Developments (5-10 dph). Regard should be paid to guidance contained within the associated 2014 Character Study;
  2. ensure that the specific context of the site and the wider character of the street scene are fully taken into account in relation to scale, appearance and materials; and
  3. maintain residential privacy and the character of the Area by
    1. preserving existing grassed verges, front boundary hedges and tree screens;
    2. retaining mature or important trees, groups of trees or woodland on site, and replacing any removed trees of recognised importance with trees of a similar potential size and species;
    3. not removing boundary treatment which is important to the character and appearance of the Area;
    4. installing solar panels (where appropriate) in such a way that they do not have a negative impact on the character of properties or on the Arcadian street scene; and
    5. featuring a ratio of building footprint to plot area similar to that of buildings in the surrounding area.

Planning decisions will take into account the failure to preserve, or likely damage to, trees, hedges, and green verges which make a significant contribution to the character of the Hook Heath Neighbourhood Area. New developments should make adequate provision for the planting and growth to maturity of trees and hedging (which may be used to screen fencing or railings) to maintain local character.

Where subdivision of an existing house is proposed the external character of the existing building must be respected and preserved.

Development decisions should take account of the important contribution that locally listed buildings make to the character of Hook Heath.

For more information please see the Neighbourhood Plan