11.07.2015 Views

Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

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visitors alike. Over the plan period, the Council proposes to safeguard theGreen Belt by meeting its development needs predominantly within the urbanarea. To deliver this strategy the Council will seek to achieve the mostefficient use of land. This in turn will lead to increases in the density of thebuilt environment particularly in the urban area and the rural settlements insetfrom the Green Belt. The challenge is to ensure that new development is welldesigned so that it strengthens the character and distinctiveness of the area,safeguards local amenity and makes a positive contribution to theenvironment.5.15.2 This policy gathers together the design requirements from a range ofpolicies within the <strong>Core</strong> <strong>Strategy</strong>. Developers should refer to all relevantpolicies in the plan to inform their submission.5.15.3 The Council will seek to manage new development in a way thatmakes a positive contribution to the built, historic and natural environment.Ensuring new development is attractive, fit for purpose, reinforces localcharacter and safeguards people's amenity is key to achieving successfulneighbourhoods and gaining community acceptance of changes to their localarea. However this does not mean that only traditional design solutions will besupported. The Council recognises the positive impact contemporary,innovative design solutions can have in appropriate locations, particularlywhere they embrace sustainability and enhance local distinctiveness.5.15.4 General design principles underpinning good design are set out innational policy and other locally adopted documents including the Kent DesignGuide (Supplementary Guidance) and the Kent Downs AONB Management<strong>Plan</strong>. For residential development, "Building for Life" is the national standardfor residential design quality and encompasses good design objectives. Theseprinciples underpin <strong>Gravesham</strong>'s approach to design.5.15.5 The Council recognises that different parts of the Borough presentdifferent contexts for new development and therefore require different designresponses if they are to be successfully integrated into the surrounding area.To help understand the character of the Borough, a range of studies havebeen carried out which include a Landscape Character Assessment and187

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