Q-D1.1: Do you agree that this is an appropriate range of topics for a strategic design policy?
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These are all well established principles. It's how they are applied by developers, negotiated and enforced by planning officers that makes the difference. Developers often start off with well designed development but the standards are reduced as the development progresses to save costs. Eg more cramped development with less open space, less interesting house designs. Good standards should be expected throughout the whole development and not relaxed through amended plans.
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Please do not build anything on our green belt/green spaces. This development must stop. We must start protecting our landscape and habitats. Surely this needs revisiting.
Yes but attractiveness doesn't seem to be on the planning departments radar. The GLH development was envisioned to be of architectural merit, referencing some of the well designed developments elsewhere in the country. It was approved on this basis but what has actually been built is the same awful [volume housebuilder] style cheap brick and white uPVC development that could be anywhere. A huge wasted opportunity - this is the same across Warwick Gateway and the rest of the county. Zero consideration to design. People would be more open to development if it improved their area, not ruined it.
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Due to the rural nature of current Greenbelt sites the visual impact of development will be significant.
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If the current design of developments is anything to go by this policy is not currently effective. Heathcote Primary School is a terrible design and the floorplans of new houses poorly reflect how people live their lives in reality (home working for example)
It does not seem fair that Warwick District is dumped upon and destroyed whilst Stratford strategic design principles are 'Attractive, sensitive, distinctive, connected, environmentally sustainable, accessible, safe and healthy, plus reference to innovation in design.' That sounds lovely, why can't the residents of Warwick District also have these principles, do we matter less as we don't get so many tourists?
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All of these topics are appropriate, however it would also be helpful to include a section on "innovation". Too often, urban design in this area tends towards a 'traditional' style which ends up looking like pastiche and creates estates which are not community-oriented or sustainable. A bolder vision is needed which can offer perhaps higher density, but within a more accessible and sustainable context. (See e.g. the work of Mary Duggan at Lion Green Road in Croydon or Alison Brooks at Accordia Brass Buildings in Cambridge. The former achieved 50% more homes than initially required in the brief by focusing on low rise apartment blocks within a much more open setting than would be permitted by traditional homes. Moreover half of the properties were offered as shared ownership or affordable rent. Of the Alison Brooks development, RIBA said that it demonstrates that "volume house-builders can deliver high quality architecture while improving their own bottom line. Pdfs of both schemes are attached at Section 12.)
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The range of options set out should be ranked and details given of how proposals will deliver aspects such as "attractiveness. We suggest the following wording Comprehensive development - ensuring development and necessary infrastructure is designed and delivered in a timely coordinated way linked seamlessly to its surroundings; piecemeal schemes are avoided and emphasis is placed on contributing to rather than detracting from the surroundings Attractiveness – creating a pleasant environment to live and work for users of all ages and abilities. Sensitive to context – respects and enhances its surroundings using appropriate scale, massing and materials Distinctiveness – builds upon the unique characteristics of its surroundings without dominating and destroying them. In some cases it may be appropriate for a development to be "landmark" creating a unique sense of place in itself but this will be the exception. Connectedness (also tackles aspects of 'healthy') - weaves into existing networks of different scales Safety – ensures layout and orientation create spaces and overall environment that enables everyone young, old of all sexes and abilities to feel safe and secure. Environmental sustainability and adapting to climate change (links to policies in 'A climate resilient and Net Zero Carbon South Warwickshire' section) Mix and amount of development (links to D3 below) - getting the right range of complementary uses
No one cares at the council. Except when built near a councillor! Far too many 4 or more bedroom buildings. Too many 3 story buildings. All are built to red brick.