WOKING DESIGN SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT (SPD)

Agenda Item No. 5 EECUTIVE - 15 JANUARY 2015 Executive Summary WOKING DESIGN SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT (SPD) The report outlines the various responses to the consultation on the Design Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and requests the Executive to recommend to Council to adopt the SPD for the purposes of ensuring high quality design of development in the Borough. The Executive approved the publication of the Draft SPD for an eight weeks consultation period at its meeting on 19 June 2014. The consultation period was between 1 July and 26 August 2014. A total of 12 individuals and organisations made representations. A summary of the representations and how they have been taken into account is in Appendix 1. Where Officers have proposed minor modifications, they are incorporated in the revised Design SPD attached as Appendix 2. Overall, the proposed modifications are of minor nature and do not change the thrust of the Draft SPD that was approved for consultation. The report was considered by the LDF Working Group at its meeting on 9 December 2014. The Working Group supported the recommendations of the report subject to minor modifications. These amendments have been incorporated into the Draft SPD. The minute of the LDF Working Group meeting is in Appendix 3. Reasons for Decision To ensure that the Design SPD is adopted to provide the necessary guidance for ensuring good quality design of development in the Borough. Recommendations The Executive is requested to: RECOMMEND to Council That (i) the various representations to the Design Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) consultation together with Officer s responses and recommendations as set out in Appendix 1 be noted; (ii) (iii) the Design SPD included in Appendix 2 be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document for the purposes of managing development across the Borough and other planning decisions; and the requirements of the SPD should apply from the date of adoption, in this case 12 February 2015. This item will need to be dealt with by way of a recommendation to the Council. 1 EE14-385

Background Papers: Woking Core Strategy Woking Character Study Sustainability Impact Assessment Equalities Impact Assessment Reporting Person: Douglas Spinks, Deputy Chief Executive Ext. 3440, E Mail: Douglas.Spinks@woking.gov.uk Contact Person: Ernest Amoako, Planning Policy Manager Ext. 3427, E Mail: Ernest.Amoako@woking.gov.uk Portfolio Holder: Cllr Graham Cundy E Mail: cllrgraham.cundy@woking.gov.uk Shadow Portfolio Holder: Cllr Liam Lyons E Mail:cllrliam.lyons@woking.gov.uk Date Published: 7 January 2015 2

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Policy CS21 Design of the Core Strategy provides the policy basis within which the Design SPD has been prepared. The policy commits the Council to prepare a Design SPD to provide detailed guidance and good practice to help developers, applicants, Council Officers and Members to improve the quality of design in new development across the Borough. In preparing the Design SPD, the Council is also responding to concerns expressed by the general public and Members to ensure that development that comes forward is sustainable and of good quality design. 1.2 Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners, one of the leading design consultants in the country, has been commissioned to prepare the SPD. After consideration of the draft Design SPD by the Executive, it was published for eight weeks public consultation between 1 July and 26 August 2014. The consultation exercise was essential because the weight to be given to the SPD for the purposes of managing development will depend on the extent of public involvement in the process of its preparation. 1.3 12 individuals and organisations responded to the consultation with a variety of constructive comments ranging from the importance of shopfronts to the impacts of lighting on the character of an area. Officers have also taken the opportunity to make suggestions about sections of the draft SPD that could be improved or amended to incorporate or consolidate existing guidance notes. A summary of the representations and how they have been taken into account in finalising the SPD is included in Appendix 1. The minor modifications that are proposed as a result of the representations have been incorporated into the revised SPD that is included in Appendix 2. In summary, the SPD provides an overview of the policy and environmental context within which it has been prepared. It includes a strategy for tall buildings, in particular, an approach to ensure that they are in sustainable locations and Borough-wide design principles for the various distinct areas of the Borough. 1.4 The SPD will be used by: Planning Officers as guidance against which to assess the design quality of development proposals when determining applications and offering pre-application advice; Council Members when assessing development proposals in advance of and at Planning Committee meetings; and applicants and developers when preparing their development schemes, as guidance to indicate ways in which high quality and exceptional design can be achieved. 1.5 Officers are satisfied that the contents of the revised SPD are sufficiently robust and at the same time allow scope for flexibility to apply its key principles to the merits of individual applications and should therefore be supported for adoption. Overall, it will guide improvements in the standard of design of development expected across the Borough. 2.0 Nature and analysis of representations 2.1 A total of 12 individuals and organisations responded to the consultation with representations covering a wide range of issues such as: the importance of shopfronts to the character and appearance of the street scene and the need for careful attention to its detail; the need for the SPD to provide a clear focus on Green Infrastructure; the need for the SPD to take the opportunity to encourage biodiversity features in development proposals; 3

the impact of lighting on landscape and biodiversity; careful consideration of car parking and pedestrian crossing points as integral part of design; the SPD fails to pay particular attention to the character of Knaphill and Horsell; support for a western cluster of tall buildings at the junction of Goldsworth Road and Church Street West; and tall building proposals should address their effect on the setting of and views to and from historic buildings, sites and landscapes. 2.2 The range of issues summarised above are by no means exhaustive. A full summary of the representations received and Officer s response with recommendations is included in Appendix 1. Tall buildings and shopfronts received the most number of representations. Minor modifications have been made to the SPD as highlighted in Appendix 1. 2.3 The report has been considered by the LDF Working Group, who has supported the recommendations. Their comments have already been incorporated into the SPD in Appendix 2. The minute of the LDF Working Group meeting is in Appendix 3. 3.0 Summary of the draft Design Guide SPD 3.1 The structure of the revised SPD has not changed significantly from the draft that was approved by the Executive before it was published for consultation. However, for the avoidance of doubt, the key topics covered in the SPD are summarised below. The SPD is structured into five parts as follows: Part A deals with the review of the historical evolution of Woking and its urban character and the policy context within which the SPD has been prepared. The Woking Character Study has significantly informed this section and the SPD as a whole. There is no doubt that Woking has evolved over the years. In particular, the Town Centre has undergone significant change since the 1960s, which has led to a loss of some of the original historic buildings. The predominant character typologies of the area are pre-victoria, late Victoria/Edwardian, Arcadian, Inter-war/immediate post war, Post war and Modern. These typologies have informed the SPD. The Core Strategy sets out a strong policy context for the preparation of the Design Guide SPD. The SPD also has the weight of national planning policy behind it. These are very well articulated throughout the SPD. The section also provides useful guidance on how the SPD should be used. Part B deals with tall buildings. It provides an analysis of the existing building heights of Woking Town Centre. This demonstrates that there is considerable variation in heights within the Town Centre but that there is a cluster of tall buildings emerging on the southern part of Victoria Way and to the south of the railway line. It sets out the key constraints to the development of tall buildings and sets out a number of criteria against which proposals should be considered and assessed on a case by case basis. The Appendices provides an analysis of the Town Centre to cover its historical evolution, heritage assets, topography, public realm and open spaces, building heights, landuse character, positive and negative townscape features, potential development sites and opportunities. Part C sets out the key urban design principles for creating successful places. This includes: 1. Character a place with its own identity; 2. Continuity and enclosure a place where public and private spaces are clearly distinguished; 4

3. Quality of the public realm a place with attractive and successful outdoor areas; 4. Ease of movement a place that is easy to get to and move through; 5. Legibility a place that has a clear image and is easy to understand; 6. Adaptability a place that can change easily; 7. Climate change a place which faces up to climate challenges; 8. Diversity a place with variety and choice; and 9. Integrity a place which delivers its potential. Part D provides specific Borough-wide guidance for the distinct areas of the Borough, including, Woking Town Centre, West Byfleet and other smaller suburban centres and the villages. It also highlights how climate change should be integral to good quality design. It sets out specific guidance on shopfronts. The SPD addresses the following aspects of design in detail layout, scale, streetscape, amenity, facades, climate change and access/parking. All the centres analysis include a section on good design checklist that highlights the criteria for assessing the design of development. Part E concentrates on good design and the planning process. It highlights a list of key themes and supporting information that developers/applicants should take into account in submitting planning applications. 4.0 Next stages of the process 4.1 Subject to the recommendations of the Executive it is expected that the report will be considered by Council at its meeting on 12 February 2015. When adopted, the SPD will take immediate effect from the date of adoption. 5.0 Conclusions 5.1 The importance of good quality design to the sustainable development of the Borough has clearly been established by the Core Strategy. There is no doubt that the Borough, in particular the Town Centre, is undergoing significant change through development. This can only be sustainable and acceptable if the development is of good quality design. The SPD will provide a useful framework for this to be achieved. 5.2 Community involvement is critical for measuring the weight to be accorded to the SPD for the purposes of managing development. The representations received have led to minor modifications of the SPD, which Officer s believe are an improvement on the original draft. Members and Officers have received a presentation on the importance of good design. Officers are satisfied that the SPD provides useful guidance to ensure good quality design of development in the area. 6.0 Implications Financial 6.1 The Design SPD has been prepared by a consultant. The cost of this has been met from existing Planning Policy Service Plan budget and approved Investment Programme. 5

Human Resource/Training and Development 6.2 The introduction of the Design SPD will require training of both Council Officers and Members. Part of the training has already been delivered. The cost of this will be met from existing budget. Community Safety 6.3 Addressed as part of the Sustainability Impact Assessment. It should be emphasised that the Design SPD will help minimise the fear of crime. Risk Management 6.4 The Core Strategy was adopted in October 2012. Planning applications continue to be submitted to deliver its requirements. It is important that the Design SPD is adopted and in reasonable time to provide the necessary framework to ensure good quality design of the development coming forward. Failure to support the recommendations of the report could further delay the adoption of the SPD. Sustainability 6.5 Addressed as part of the Sustainability Impact Assessment. Equalities 6.6 Addressed as part of the Equality Impact Assessment. 7.0 Consultations 7.1 The Portfolio Holder for Planning has been consulted. REPORT ENDS EE14-385 6

APPENDICES 7

Eliminate discriminatio n Advance equality Good relations Equality Impact Assessment The purpose of this assessment is to improve the work of the Council by making sure that it does not discriminate against any individual or group and that, where possible, it promotes equality. The Council has a legal duty to comply with equalities legislation and this template enables you to consider the impact (positive or negative) a strategy, policy, project or service may have upon the protected groups. Positive impact? Negative impact? No specific impact What will the impact be? If the impact is negative how can it be mitigated? (action) THIS SECTION NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED AS EVIDENCE OF WHAT THE POSITIVE IMPACT IS OR WHAT ACTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN TO MITIGATE ANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS Gender Men Women Gender Reassignment White Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups Race Asian/Asian British Black/African/Caribbean/ Black British Gypsies / travellers Other ethnic group 8

Eliminate discriminatio n Advance equality Good relations Positive impact? Negative impact? No specific impact What will the impact be? If the impact is negative how can it be mitigated? (action) THIS SECTION NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED AS EVIDENCE OF WHAT THE POSITIVE IMPACT IS OR WHAT ACTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN TO MITIGATE ANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS Disability Sexual Orientation Age Religion or Belief Physical Sensory Learning Difficulties Mental Health Lesbian, gay men, bisexual Older people (50+) Younger people (16-25) Faith Groups Pregnancy & maternity Marriage & Civil Partnership Socio-economic Background The purpose of the Equality Impact Assessment is to improve the work of the Council by making sure it does not discriminate against any individual or group and that, where possible, it promotes equality. The assessment is quick and straightforward to undertake but it is an important step to make sure that individuals and teams think carefully about the likely impact of their work on people in Woking and take action to improve strategies, policies, services and projects, where appropriate. Further details and guidance on completing the form are available. 9

Sustainability Impact Assessment Officers preparing a committee report are required to complete a Sustainability Impact Assessment. Sustainability is one of the Council s cross-cutting themes and the Council has made a corporate commitment to address the social, economic and environmental effects of activities across Business Units. The purpose of this Impact Assessment is to record any positive or negative impacts this decision, project or programme is likely to have on each of the Council s Sustainability Themes. For assistance with completing the Impact Assessment, please refer to the instructions below. Further details and guidance on completing the form are available. Theme (Potential impacts of the project) Use of energy, water, minerals and materials Waste generation / sustainable waste management Positive Impact Negative Impact No specific impact What will the impact be? If the impact is negative, how can it be mitigated? (action) Pollution to air, land and water Factors that contribute to Climate Change Protection of and access to the natural environment Travel choices that do not rely on the car A strong, diverse and sustainable local economy Meet local needs locally Opportunities for education and information Provision of appropriate and sustainable housing Personal safety and reduced fear of crime Equality in health and good health Access to cultural and leisure facilities Social inclusion / engage and consult communities Equal opportunities for the whole community Contribute to Woking s pride of place 10