here - Sandgate Parish Council

Aims of the Sandgate Design StatementThere is widespread and growing local concern at theincreasing threat to the highly attractive and historicbuilt environment of Sandgate by unsympathetic newdevelopment in recent years. One of the principal actionsproposed in the Sandgate Parish Plan (2010) thereforewas the production of a Village Design Statement to“ensure that the wishes of the Sandgate Community willhave a persuasive influence on the future developmentof the village”.Village and Town Design Statements focus specificallyon design and local distinctiveness. They have beenpromoted by the government for over 20 years as away for communities to have a stronger voice in theplanning decisions that affect their towns and villagesdirectly. Over 50 Village Design Statements are in useacross Kent.Such community-produced Design Statements have aclear and narrow frame of reference: the design of newdevelopment 1 . It has thus always been the intention thatthey have a close ‘fit’ with the statutory planning systemin order to maximise their effectiveness.Village and Town Design Statements have proved tobe highly useful and effective in planning decisions andappeals and a popular method of recording, celebratingand enhancing what a local community feels are thedistinctive features that make their town or village unique.The Sandgate Design Statement is based on extensivesurvey work, consultation and analysis by residents andbusinesses in the Parish. Shepway District Council hasalso provided welcome support throughout the process.A series of 11 Design Principles have been produced asa result of this work. These are scattered throughout theDesign Statement and are listed again in full towards theend of this document.It is the fervent wish of all those who have worked on thisDesign Statement that it is used by all those planning tobuild in the parish, together with those responsible formaking decisions on development proposals, to ensurethat new development accords with the Sandgate DesignStatement and its Design Principles and is of high andappropriate, quality and design.SDS 1Compliance withthe SandgateDesign StatementAll applications for newdevelopment in Sandgateparish should include astatement demonstrating howthey have complied with thePrinciples of the SandgateDesign Statement.1For the purposes of this Design Statement ‘development’ refers to both new development as well as alterations and extensions to existing buildings.SANDGATE DESIGN STATEMENT 20135