Draft Kings Hill Masterplan and Design Code Supplementary Planning Document

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7 Checklist Comment

7.1 Compliance Checklist

7.1.1 Design Code Compliance Checklist

The checklist serves as a quick reference guide to help ensure that future planning applications are compliant with the Design Code.

Using this checklist as a guide will assist applicants in completing the full Compliance Checklist Form, available to download from the Warwick District Council website. Applicants are required to use this form to demonstrate how their proposals comply with the Design Code and to identify any areas of non-compliance, together with supporting justification. Submission of a completed Compliance Checklist is a validation requirement for planning applications.

Purpose of the Compliance Checklist

The Compliance Checklist is a tool to demonstrate that a proposal aligns with the Design Code. The relevant checklist for the application area must be completed and submitted with any planning application that includes design considerations.

Applicants must also indicate in the checklist where each design code has been addressed within the supporting application documents.

Demonstrating Evidence

The Warwick District Council’s Local Validation Checklist, available on the Council’s website, sets out the documents required for a valid planning application. This list should be used to identify appropriate evidence to support completion of the Design Code Compliance Checklist spreadsheet.

The requirement to provide sufficient information to demonstrate how local design expectations have been met is set out in Paragraph 137 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, 2024).

Applicants should refer to the ‘Evidence Documents List’ tab within the Compliance Checklist spreadsheet for guidance on suitable supporting materials.

Relevant planning guidance references are also included within the checklist to ensure that key policy considerations are integrated throughout the design process. Applicants are advised to clearly indicate where such guidance has been addressed in their submissions.

Non-Compliance

As the Design Code covers a large area of land and a variety of development types, there may be instances where a departure from the Code is justified. In such cases, applicants must provide a robust justification, supported by evidence, within the application’s supporting documents.

Whether such departures are acceptable will depend on the quality of justification, the nature of the proposal, and the context of the site.

Not-Applicable

Certain codes may not apply to specific proposals, depending on the land use or scale of development. Where this is the case, applicants should mark the ‘Not Applicable’ box within the checklist spreadsheet.

Context Checklist

Character Studies

Has a character study been undertaken to assess surrounding character including built form, street pattern, urban grain, scale, materials?
Does the Character Study influence the proposal and provide design cues for the masterplan designs?

Cultural Heritage

Has an historical assessment been undertaken that forms the foundation for new development?
Have heritage assets and conservation area details informed the development proposals?

Policy and Guidance

Identity Checklist

I01 Rural Edge Character

Does the development reinforce the site’s role as a rural edge to Coventry?

I02 Urban Grain

Does the development respond to the local settlement pattern, enclosure and rhythm? Do new streets align with contextual proportions and spatial logic?

I03 Distinctive Character Areas

Have clear character areas been defined with distinct materials, heights and landscape treatments. Do they support legibility and place identity across the development?

I04 Heritage Design Principles

Is the setting of heritage assets being enhanced/ protected, through scale, proportion and sensitive landscape buffers? Has a Heritage Impact Assessment been provided where required?

I05 Clusters and Grouping Buildings

Have varied groupings of houses been provided to create interest and reinforce local vernacular? Have mixtures of typologies been arranged to enhance street character?

I06 Materials, Architecture and Detail

Does the material palette promote a coherent scheme reflecting local distinctiveness? Do contemporary interpretations complement existing context?

I07 Boundaries and Set Backs

Do boundaries reflect local street character? Are setbacks appropriate to the street, as set out in the guidance?

I08 Topography, Views and Skyline

Does development work within the land form and respect key long-range views? Does the layout protect skyline features such as Coventry cathedral spire?

Policy and Guidance

Built Form Checklist

BF01 Built Form Areas:

Does development align with the aspirations for the built form areas plan, which differentiates between development in the mixed-use centre, neighbourhood and urban fringe?
Does development establish a permeable layout, encouraging use of perimeter blocks oriented to streets and open spaces?

BF02 Noise Mitigation:

Has exposure to noise-sensitive uses been minimised?

BF03 Density

Has density been optimised within the ranges as set out on the density zones plan?

BF04 Building Heights

Do the building heights comply with the maximum heights specified, based on the built form area that the development falls within?

BF05 Key Arrival Gateways

Does development create a positive arrival experience if located within a key arrival gateway?

BF06 Key Nodes

Does development step up quality and reinforce identity, if located in a key node?

BF07 Landmark Buildings

Have landmark buildings been provided at key nodes and gateways?

BF08 Frontages

Are frontages active and positioned onto streets and open spaces?
Are frontages coordinated? Is there a common architectural detail?

BF09 Edge Conditions

Does the edge condition of residential parcels comply with the edge condition categories set out in the code, which set out different nuances in the built form based on frontage onto natural areas, King’s Hill Road, open space, Stoneleigh Road, Green Lane and the A46?

Policy and Guidance

Movement Checklist

M01 Public Transport

Do all homes have convenient access to bus stops?

M02 Active Travel

Does the development provide direct and safe walking and cycling routes to new local schools and the new local centres, and facilitate connections to wider active travel corridors?

M03 General Guidance on Streets

Does the development mandate pedestrian-first principles and connected networks. Does it avoidb cul-de-sacs and encourage tree-lined streets.

M04 Materials

Do materials align with Council requirements?

M05 SuDS

Have above ground surface water management features been incorporated in the street design?

M06 Lighting

Has lighting been designed which doesn’t conflict with trees. Are sensitive ecological zones protected?

M07 Street Furniture

Is any street furniture well-placed and are benches and bins provided at key locations?

M08 Street Types

Do streets align with the secondary, tertiary and minor street specifications. Are widths consistent with the code, including verges and movement priorities.

M09 Secondary Streets

Are any secondary streets bus-capable? Do they have the required avenue trees and SuDS within the verges?

M10 Tertiary Streets

Are any tertiary streets consistent with the code?

M11 Minor Streets

Are minor streets consistent with the code? Where private lanes, mews and drives are provided, are these in edge locations, or on land off the secondary route network?

M12 Parking

Is parking integrated without dominating streets?
Has EV and cycle provision been provided across all housing?

Policy and Guidance

Public Spaces Checklist

P01 Amenity Green Spaces

Have small, informal green spaces within neighbourhoods been provided?

P02 Parks and Gardens

Do parks and gardens follow the guidance for creating community destinations with planting seating and recreational areas?

P03 Natural & Semi-Natural Areas

If provided, do these spaces align with the guidance?

P04 Allotments and Community Gardens

Has the required land for allotments been provided, does its location and make-up conform to the guidance?

P05 Children’s and Youth Play

Have children and youth play spaces been provided and designed in line with the guidance?

P06 General POS Guidance

Has POS been well-distributed, is it overlooked and accessible?

P07 Safety and Access

Does POS provide clear sightlines, secure paths and managed access?

P08 Inclusive and Accessible

Is the play space usable by diverse users? Does it include features for neurodivergent and disabled children?

P09 Play Setting and Character

Does play space encourage sensory planting and varied topography?

P10 Management and Maintenance

Has a management plan been submitted to encourage long-term stewardship and coordination across developers?

S01 Sports Pitch Location

Are sports pitches appropriately located and accessible?

S02 Edges and Interface Design

Has the required buffer been implemented where sports uses meet homes? Have light impacts been managed through design.

S03 Pitch Design and Orientation

Are pitches north–south aligned, in line with Sport England/NGB standards.

S04 Size and Configuration

Does the development include a full-size pitch? Does it support shared facilities and efficient land use.

S05 3G Pitch Specification

Is the pitch compliant with the guidance set out in the code?

S06 Management and Security

Has anti-climb fencing and safe access been specified?

S07 Kickabout Spaces

Have kick-about spaces been included? Are they overlooked and accessible?

S08 Design Quality

Have robust surfaces and minimal fencing been provided to prioritise community usability?

S09 Residential Buffer Zones

Have buffer distances for different pitch types been provided?

S10 Buffer Design and Treatment

Have buffers been designed as usable landscape with planting and paths?

Policy and Guidance

Nature Checklist

E01 Policy Compliance and BNG

Does the proposal deliver measurable biodiversity net gain in accordance with national policy, and is ecological enhancement embedded within the masterplanning approach?

E02 Protection of Designated Sites

Does the scheme protect ancient woodland, Local Wildlife Sites and priority habitats through appropriate buffers, and does it separate public access from sensitive ecological zones?

E03 Ecological Network and Connectivity

Does the development provide continuous habitat corridors across the site, retaining hedgerows, trees and water features to support species movement?

E04 Landscape-Led Biodiversity Design

Does the development prioritise landscape led design through specification of native species, retention of mature trees, ponds etc.?

E05 Watercourses and SuDS

Does the proposal enhance Finham Brook as an ecological corridor, and are SuDS designed as natural features that support wetland habitats?

L01 Ancient Woodland

Are 50m buffers maintained to protect the integrity of ancient woodland, with only low-impact access permitted at the buffer periphery?

L02 Woodland Protection Measures

Does the scheme retain existing woodland and protect woodland hydrology and soils during construction, while using native planting to strengthen woodland edges?

L03 Uses within the Buffer

Are uses within woodland buffers limited to informal paths and low-impact features, with buildings, utilities and sports uses appropriately restricted?

L04 Green Corridors

Does the proposal create multifunctional green corridors that support ecology, drainage and recreation, reflect landscape character, and integrate SuDS?

L05 Character and Context

Does the design retain tree-lined lanes and mature hedgerows, and protect historic and ecological assets through a landscape-led approach?

L06 Integrating Views

Are strategic views to landmarks and woodland safeguarded, with the layout used to frame and enhance key vistas?

L07 Tree-lined Streets

Do streets include trees within verges, with species selected to balance canopy cover, sightlines, shading and local identity?

L08 Safe Spaces and Streets

Are green corridors and streets designed as safe, legible spaces with clear sightlines and appropriate levels of natural surveillance?

L09 Heritage and Culture

Does the landscape design integrate heritage features and use open spaces to reveal and enhance monuments and historic elements?

L10 Public Art

Does the proposal encourage public art, including art trails or installations, to support community engagement and placemaking?

L11 Planting and Species

Does the planting strategy prioritise native, resilient species to support biodiversity, and does it encourage the creation of new copses and thickets?

L13 Tree and Hedge Retention

Does the scheme retain important hedgerows and mature trees with appropriate root protection, and does it provide at least two replacement trees for each loss?

L14 Safe and Attractive Boundary Planting

Are school boundaries designed with secure fencing that follows Secured by Design principles, with planting that enhances the environment without compromising safety?

L15 Lighting and Surveillance

Does the lighting strategy ensure schools and key spaces are overlooked and safely lit, with lighting coordinated with planting to prevent light spill?

L16 Hardworks and Softworks

Does the scheme use robust, high-quality hard and soft landscape materials to define a clear hierarchy of spaces, incorporating natural aggregates where appropriate?

L17 Long-Term Management and Stewardship

Is there a coordinated long-term management and maintenance strategy across all development parcels to ensure planting and landscape features are sustained for the lifetime of development?

S1 General SuDS Requirements

Does the development incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems, in line with current guidance?

S02 Integration with Ecology

Are SuDS provided outside of ecological/LWS/Ancient Woodland areas and their buffers?

S03 Heritage and Visual Integration

Do SuDS features avoid visually intrusive engineering around heritage assets and high value ecological areas?
Are they integrated with open spaces, parkland and amenity green spaces?

S04 Flood Risk and Maintenance

Do flood attenuation and storage features provide no increased risk to third parties?
Has a long term management plan been submitted?

Policy and Guidance

Uses Checklist

U01 Mixed Use Local Centres

Does the proposal support a diverse mix of uses, including retail, offices and community facilities, and does it deliver active frontages and a high-quality public realm?

U02 Uses at A46 Gateway

Does the scheme encourage non-residential uses that respond appropriately to noise constraints, while avoiding industrial forms that would undermine gateway character?

U03 Building Frontages

Does the design avoid blank elevations and inactive edges, and promote natural surveillance and safe, active public spaces?

U04 Mixed Use Centre Buildings

Does the development encourage a mix of building typologies, including mews, townhouses and apartments, to support density, diversity and vibrancy?

U05 Interfaces Between Uses

Are different uses arranged to ensure compatibility through layout, buffers and design, with noise, lighting and servicing impacts appropriately managed?

U06 Community Facilities

Are community facilities centrally located with good natural surveillance, supported by usable outdoor spaces and adequate parking provision?

U07 Pupil Yield

Is pupil yield data used to inform the scale and phasing of education provision, ensuring capacity aligns with housing delivery?

U08 Primary School Requirements

Does the proposal provide two 2FE primary school sites, each capable of expansion to 3FE, with site areas of approximately 2.5 - 2.8 hectares?

U09 Secondary School Requirements

Does the scheme allocate one 6FE secondary school site, expandable to 8FE with sixth-form provision, on an approximately 8-hectare site with sufficient flexibility?

U10 Site Characteristics

Are education sites flat, unconstrained and appropriately shaped, avoiding flood zones and irregular or inefficient layouts?

U11 Boundaries and Relationship to Housing

Are school boundaries secured and sensitively oriented in relation to surrounding housing, balancing safeguarding requirements with residential amenities?

U12 Sports Provision

Does the proposal allow for school sports facilities to support community use through appropriate agreements, with all pitches contained within school boundaries?

U13 Access and Safety

Does the proposal provide safe pedestrian/cycle access and minimise parent parking? Have the streets been designed to be the required school safety zones?

Policy and Guidance

Homes and Buildings

H01 Space Standards

Do all homes meet the Nationally Described Space Standards (2015)?
Where deviations from the space standards are proposed, are these clearly justified with reference to site viability and the latest Warwick District Housing Needs Assessment (HNA)?

H02 Inclusive and Accessible Homes

Are homes designed to:

Support lifetime occupation, including step-free access where feasible?
Address the Government’s Inclusive Mobility Guidance?
Align with Building for a Healthy Life principles?
Comply with Building Regulations Part M?
Comply with Warwick District Council Local Plan Policies H6 and BE1 in relation to accessibility?
Comply with Warwick District Council Residential Design Guide SPD?
Comply with BRE daylight and sunlight guidance?

H03 Aspect and Daylight

Does the layout maximise opportunities for good daylight and sunlight?
Are main living spaces oriented south-facing or east–west wherever practicable?
Are apartments designed to be dual aspect where possible to enhance daylight, ventilation, and environmental quality?

H04 Private and Communal Outdoor Space

Is adequate private outdoor amenity space provided for all dwellings in accordance with the Residential Design Guide SPD and Local Plan Policy BE1?
Do rear garden and habitable room privacy distances comply with the WDC Residential Design Guide SPD, including a minimum 21-metre separation between facing habitable room windows?
Are balconies of sufficient size to be genuinely usable?
Do apartment schemes provide communal outdoor amenity space in addition to private space?
Are communal gardens accessible from surrounding dwellings or shared circulation areas?
Has adequate consideration been given to privacy, defensible space, and overlooking around communal gardens?

H05 Storage

Is cycle storage provided in accordance with WDC standards, the Residential
Design Guide SPD, and Local Plan Policy TR2?
Is refuse and recycling storage provided in convenient and accessible locations?
H06 Adaptability
Are homes designed with flexible internal layouts that allow for future adaptation?

H07 Lighting, Daylight, Sunlight and Noise

Has internal daylight and sunlight been considered at the masterplanning and layout stage?
Does the design appropriately respond to building orientation, window size and positioning, glazing performance and U-values?
Are generous levels of glazing provided where appropriate?
Are apartments dual aspect where feasible?
Does the housing provide a high-quality internal environment with adequate natural daylight, quality ventilation, privacy?
Is external and building lighting designed to avoid unacceptable impacts on residential amenities?

H08 Refuse and Recycling Requirements

Is external refuse and recycling storage located to the rear or side of properties?
Is refuse storage integrated sensitively and hidden from the street?
Do private drives allow for acceptable bin drag distances in accordance with WDC waste collection requirements?

H09 Safety and Security

Homes in accordance with Secured by Design principles and the Residential Design Guide SPD?
Is the natural surveillance of streets, footpaths, and communal spaces promoted?
Is the proposal compliant with Local Plan Policy BE1 and the Residential Design Guide SPD in relation to safety and security?

H10 Acoustics

Does the design provide a healthy internal and external acoustic environment in line with Local Plan Policy BE1?
Has site layout and building design been used to mitigate noise impacts?
Is an acceptable acoustic performance achieved without reliance on permanently closed windows?

H11 Housing Tenure, Mix, and Quantum

Is the housing quantum and mix informed by the latest published housing needs evidence (e.g. HEDNA or emerging SHMA)?
Does the development provide a diverse mix of dwelling sizes: 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom family homes?

H12 Affordable Homes

Does the scheme deliver a policy compliant level of affordable housing?
Is priority given to social rent and affordable rent?
Does affordable housing balance a mix of 1, 2 , 3+ bedroom family homes?
Is affordable housing integrated across the site and tenure-blind in design?

H13 Older Persons and Specialist Housing

Does the scheme make provision for older persons’ and/or specialist housing based on local need?
Is it located close to services, public transport, and open space?

H14 Housing Typologies

Has an appropriate range of housing typologies been provided for with level-access homes?
Does the distribution of typologies reflect the surrounding built context, supporting efficient land use?
Are higher-density typologies located near public transport, services, and open space?
Are apartments designed with high-quality internal/external amenity provision?
Are lower density typologies located at site edges?
Does any single dwelling type/ size exceed 50% of total units, if so, is this clearly justified?

Policy and Guidance

Resources and Lifespan Checklist

RL01 Air Quality

Has air quality mitigation been planned and delivered through a coordinated, site-wide approach across all development parcels?
Are damage cost contributions and other mitigation funding directed towards agreed on-site and/or off-site mitigation measures through a collective strategy?
Are environmental mitigation measures embedded within the masterplan and design codes to ensure long-term protection of residential amenities?

RL02 Renewable and Low-Carbon Energy

Does the development demonstrate integration of renewable and low-carbon energy technologies in line with the Future Homes Standard and best practice?
Does the energy strategy follow the energy hierarchy, prioritising demand reduction before on-site energy generation?

RL03 Solar Energy

Do buildings incorporate solar photovoltaic panels on suitable roof areas where orientation, pitch and layout allow effective solar gain?
Are solar water-heating systems integrated where viable to reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-based heating?

RL04 Low-Carbon Heating and Cooling

Are ground-source and/or air-source heat pumps prioritised to minimise operational carbon emissions?
Does the proposed heating and cooling strategy support the delivery of net-zero-ready homes?

RL05 Wind Energy

Where micro wind generation is proposed, has an assessment of local wind conditions been undertaken?
Have potential environmental, visual and operational impacts been assessed to confirm effectiveness and suitability?

RL06 Infrastructure and Coordination

Have developers engaged early with utilities providers, highway authorities, telecommunications companies and other relevant stakeholders?
Are measures in place to minimise disruption and energy consumption during construction?
Has adequate grid capacity been confirmed to support renewable energy generation and electric vehicle charging infrastructure?

RL07 Construction and Phasing

Is construction phasing coordinated across development parcels to minimise environmental impacts?
Are impacts on existing and newly occupied homes addressed through the construction phasing strategy?

RL08 Orientation and Passive Design

Does the building design reduce energy demand through passive design measures, including orientation, solar gain, shading, high levels of insulation and ventilation with heat recovery?
Are homes orientated on a north–south axis where possible?
Are principal living spaces and glazing located to the south to maximise winter solar gain?
Is east–west glazing minimised to reduce summer overheating?
Are canopies, overhangs or other shading devices incorporated where appropriate?

RL09 Urban Cooling and Climate Resilience

Does the development achieve urban cooling through integrated landscape design, including tree planting, shading and water features?
Are deciduous trees incorporated to provide seasonal comfort?
Are materials specified that are low-carbon, durable and climate-resilient, particularly within hard landscaping and public realm areas?

RL10 Water and Resources

Are homes designed to be net-zero ready and adaptable over their lifespan?
Are SuDS integrated as multifunctional landscape features?
Is permeable paving prioritised in accordance with the Nature Design Codes?
Does fabric performance exceed minimum Building Regulations standards where feasible?
Are water efficiency measures incorporated, including rainwater harvesting and water butts?

RL11 Innovation

Has the feasibility of a site-wide or district heat network been explored, having regard to the scale of development?

RL12 Sustainable Neighbourhoods

Does the development support 20-minute neighbourhood principles?
Are services, facilities and public transport accessible within reasonable walking distances?

RL13 Urban Greening and Electric Vehicles

Do mixed-use centres, schools and higher-density areas maximise opportunities for urban greening?
Are rain gardens, green roofs and green walls incorporated where appropriate?
Is electric vehicle charging provision delivered in accordance with the adopted Parking Standards SPD?

Policy and Guidance

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