5. Landscape-led design: views

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Comment

Draft Papworth Everard Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167840

Received: 09/06/2019

Respondent: Gladman Developments

Representation Summary:

Figure 10 identifies 'valued' green spaces/gaps and internal and external views. However the evidential basis for these 'valued' vews is unclear. Again this potentially goes beyond the remit of a design SPD and into a matter that would be more apporpriately considered through plan-making or a detailed landscape character assessment.

Full text:

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am writing to provide the comments of Gladman Developments Limited in response to the consultation on the draft Village Design Guide SPD (VDG) for Papworth Everard. Gladman request that you take these into account in the preparation of the SPD.


Gladman note that the Design Guide is intended as a user-friendly tool for developers (amongst others) and aims to set out clear design principles to guide future development proposals in and around the village. It is important that the Guide is used as a basis to inform discussions between developers, their consultants and the Council and that the guidance is not misinterpreted as rigid policy requirements.


Gladman wish to make the following, brief comments on the draft VDG:


* Section 3 sets out the priorities for the VDG, which include the protection of views and vistas across the village.

Gladman considers that this matter goes beyond the typical remit of an SPD on design and should be considered in depth through plan-making, either through a strategic plan at district level or through a neighbourhood plan. While landscape considerations are undoubtedly important, they must be considered alongside more strategic issues such as overall levels of growth.

* Sections 5 concerns landscape-led design. Figure 10 identifies "valued" green spaces/gaps and internal and external views. However, the evidential basis for these "valued" views is unclear. Again, this potentially goes beyond the remit of a design SPD and into a matter that would be more appropriately considered through plan-making or a detailed landscape character assessment .

* Section 9 sets out basic principles for the design of new homes. Gladman welcomes the fact that while recognising distinctive styles within different parts of Papworth, the guidance does not seek to prescribe detailed requirements for any element of design, including materials or house types .


Gladman trust that you find the above comments constructive . Should you require any clarification or wish to discuss the points raised, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Attachments:

Comment

Draft Papworth Everard Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 168337

Received: 10/07/2019

Respondent: Varrier Jones Foundation

Agent: Bidwells

Representation Summary:

An amendment is recommended to remove the arrow signs from Figure 10 (Chapter 5) and replace with the guidance: 'New development should respect and create views out into the countryside, or into existing green spaces, wherever possible and enhance the connection between the village and the surrounding countryside.'

Full text:

Varrier-Jones Foundation (VJF) are generally supportive of the Papworth Everard Village Design Guide SPD. It provides for a fuller understanding of the village and provides a common steer for all new development to take into account. There are a number of positive points to note within the Design Guide that we are supportive of including but not limited to the following:

* The aspiration for high quality accessible housing, in line with the legacy of the village.

* The need to bring vacant or derelict sites back into use.

* The recognition of the need to promote future business uses in the village is welcomed. The vacation of Papworth Hospital reinforces the need to review where future employment uses can be provided in the village.

* Improving connectivity throughout the village is key to ensuring the village remains a vibrant and easily accessible place to live.

* The need to protect natural capitalwithin and around the village.

* A unified approach to enhance the character and quality of the village.

We would however suggest an amendment to Figure 10 (Chapter 5), in which 'key views' are shown around the whole village.

The relationship between the village edge and the surrounding countryside should be recognised. The document can guide that any new development should respect the physical and visual connection between the village and the countryside and to enhance that connection where possible, thereby not to have the visual arrows as they are so plentiful that they lose their value.We therefore consider that the arrow signs are removed within Figure 10 and rather the document should utilise the supporting text to be clear that 'New development should respect and create views out into the countryside, or into existing green spaces, wherever possible and enhance the connection between the village and the surrounding countryside'.

Attachments: