Kirdford Neighbourhood Development Plan - South Downs National ...

Kirdford NDP
Policy DS.1: New development on unallocated sites
Any proposed housing development on unallocated sites will be supported in
principle, provided it respects the character and rural scale of Kirdford village, is
based on a detailed site and contextual analysis, and demonstrates an understanding
of local character, subject to meeting the following criteria:
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• The location is a sustainable site for development, as defined elsewhere
within this Plan and the NPPF.
• There is an up-to-date and demonstrable need for the development to come
forward in advance of other allocated sites elsewhere within the Plan Area,
including need defined within other policies of this Plan.
• The development respects the rural character of Kirdford and is not out of
keeping by way of scale, design or layout.
• The benefits of developing the site outweigh the disbenefits; and
• It accords with the full suite of policies elsewhere within the development
plan.
Reasoned Justification
This policy incorporates key principles of the NPPF, including paragraphs 28 and 80. This policy
will underpin the approach that Kirdford Parish Council, CDC and SDNP will adopt for the
determination of planning applications for new development in the Kirdford Neighbourhood
Plan Area. It is justified by the need to ensure that new development is sympathetic in terms of
village scale, character and design and development density. Following 20 years of rapid growth
there have been only two significant housing planning applications outside the SPA in Kirdford
in the last eight years. Both were refused as being inappropriate for reasons of location, scale,
design, layout and mix of housing type. This Plan seeks to guide future development in a
positive way and on a sustainable phased basis. Regard should be paid to the Kirdford Village
Design Statement which describes design aspirations for the Parish.
The contextual analysis of the site should consider how the development positively contributes
to local character, including the landscape setting where appropriate. There is a need to
sensitively manage new development within Kirdford Parish in recognition of its special
character as a remote and tranquil part of the Western Weald. The specific features of the
landscape and settlement pattern of the area are described in the relevant landscape character
assessments prepared by the County Council, District Council and National Park Authority.
References: KPNP – Sustainability Appraisal, Human Population data, pages 30-32.
Policy DS.2 – Encouraging Quality Design
Intention
This policy is designed to provide clear guidance to those preparing proposals for development
and those managing applications within the Plan Area.
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