Knowsley Replacement Unitary Development Plan - Knowsley Council

DEVELOPMENT QUALITY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DEVELOPMENT QUALITY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
11.3
Despite its history as a primarily “twentieth century”
Borough, Knowsley has a considerable heritage of
older buildings and spaces which are valued by the
local community, some of which are listed because of
their special architectural or historic importance.
Some of the original settlements which predated the
twentieth century expansion of the Borough are now
protected as Conservation Areas (see glossary).
Many other buildings and features, such as red
sandstone boundary walls and the use of welsh slate
as a roofing material, are attractive and help to define
the character of the Borough.
11.4
The challenge for new development will be to
respond to the heritage of Knowsley whilst
introducing new forms of design which will help to
strengthen the “sense of place” and variety of built
form in Knowsley. This should help to create and
maintain civic pride, and improve the public realm.
POLICY DQ1:
DESIGN QUALITY IN NEW DEVELOPMENT
New development should be of a high quality
design which will:
Site surroundings
a) Respond to and, where appropriate, enhance
the characteristics of the immediate
surrounding area through the use of
appropriate scale, density, massing, height
and building lines;
b) Preserve or enhance views of important
landscape features/buildings in
surrounding areas;
c) Protect the amenities of neighbouring
occupiers;
Site characteristics
d) Preserve any existing buildings, walls or
structures which (whilst not necessarily
statutorily listed), are of intrinsic architectural
or historic interest, or which contribute to the
character of the area;
e) Preserve and manage any existing important
natural features such as trees, hedgerows,
greenspace, ponds, slopes and streams
and where possible make use of these as
design features;
f) Include measures to accommodate
protected species and their habitats where
these are seen to be relevant on nature
conservation grounds.
j) Provide high quality open spaces, designed to
be well used and appreciated;
k) Provide good levels of amenity for occupiers of
the development;
l) Create a clear distinction between the public
and private realm;
m) Include any necessary noise attenuation and
flood abatement measures as an integral part
of design;
Buildings and structures
n) Achieve good design quality in all new
buildings and structures in terms of their
scale, style, materials, detailing and their
relationship with each other;
o) Maximise environmental efficiency through
efficient use of materials and resources,
re-use of materials wherever practicable, and
the promotion of energy efficiency
Links to other approved strategies
Schemes for new development should take
account of other relevant strategies and guidance
drawn up by the local planning authority.
In particular, regard should be had to the aims and
objectives of any regeneration strategy which has
been approved by the Council for the area
concerned. Developers should also have regard to
the Knowsley Council Design Guide which sets out
appropriate design principles.
EXPLANATION DQ1
reflected in proposed new buildings. In those parts of
Knowsley which have a relatively uniform building
style (such as some of the areas of inter war and
post war housing), opportunities should be taken
to introduce appropriate forms of new building
styles to create variety in the built environment.
The use of sculpture and public art will be
encouraged in appropriate locations. Where the
surrounding area contains important views, for
example of buildings such as churches, woodlands or
other natural features; these should be preserved by
new development.
11.7
In order to preserve the amenities of neighbouring
occupiers, new buildings should be designed so that
they would not have an overbearing effect or cause
loss of light or privacy. Car parks and storage areas
should be designed and located so as to avoid
causing noise or disturbance.
SITE CHARACTERISTICS
11.8
Many sites themselves contain important features
such as buildings which are of local historic or
architectural interest, sandstone or traditional brick
walls, ponds etc. which, if present, should be
retained. The Council will prepare a list of buildings
which, although not statutorily protected (see policy
DQ7) are considered to be of local interest and should
therefore be retained in any new development.
Access
11.5
g) Provide safe and convenient access for all by a
choice of transport, including attractive secure
and safe defined pedestrian links to any
community, employment, public transport and
shopping facilities in the area;
Site layout and landscaping
h) Achieve an efficient use of land;
i) Provide an appropriate form of landscape
treatment;
Policy DQ1 applies to all new development
(including either new buildings or alterations to
existing buildings).
SITE SURROUNDINGS AND CONTEXT
11.6
All new development should both respond to and
enhance the character of the surrounding area.
Where this contains locally distinctive building styles
or materials, the Council may require these to be
ACCESS
11.9
New development in Knowsley should avoid being
dominated by the needs of the car. Introverted dead
end layouts which limit people's choice of travel
should be avoided, and the design of estate roads
should discourage drivers from driving fast.
New development should where possible front the
street and incorporate pedestrian routes linked to
where people want to go, i.e. to local shops, bus
stops, employment, health and leisure facilities etc.
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KNOWSLEY REPLACEMENT UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Adopted June 2006
KNOWSLEY REPLACEMENT UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Adopted June 2006
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