Chadlington Parish Council as been asked by West Oxfordshire District Council to publicise the following information:-
New West Oxfordshire Design Guide SPD – Public Consultation
A new West Oxfordshire Design Guide has been drafted, and the District Council are inviting comments on any aspect of the new document.
The new draft Design Guide is available on the Council website: http://planningconsultation.westoxon.gov.uk/consult.ti/Design_Guide.
A 6-week public consultation will run from Monday 17 August to Wednesday 30 September, 2015, during which period any comments should be sent to: Richard.Wheeler@westoxon.gov.uk
The original West Oxfordshire Design Guide was published in 2006, with the aim of describing the qualities and characteristics that make West Oxfordshire special – its landscapes, settlements and buildings – and setting out ways in which new design can preserve and enhance the District.
The new draft Design Guide has the same aims, but has been comprehensively revamped and updated, with a number of new sections added – including on shop front design, new development and greener traditional buildings.
The purpose of the West Oxfordshire Design Guide is to describe the qualities and characteristics that make West Oxfordshire special – its landscapes, settlements and buildings – and to describe ways in which good design can protect and enrich the character of the District.
Design is central to a wide range of issues, from the colour of a front door to the layout of a new housing area. Whatever the context, being ‘fit for purpose’ should never be enough. Outstanding design makes places special, is life-affirming, and forms a material legacy by which future generations will know and judge us.
The Design Guide aims to encourage a high standard of design, and to promote new development which respects and fits in with the character of West Oxfordshire.
It is intended to provide information to a wide range of potential users, including communities, home- and business-owners, developers and agents, planning officers and local Members; indeed, to all those involved with potential change to the landscapes, settlements and buildings of the District.
We would like your views as to whether the updated Design Guide achieves these aims and whether it can be considered as an appropriate tool for guiding the design of new development in the District.
All comments, positive and negative, are welcome. Following consultation, the Design Guide will be adopted as a supplementary planning document and will be used to guide decision making on planning applications in the District. It is important that the views of local people and key stakeholders are taken into account in the preparation of the guide.
The new Design Guide is intended to be primarily web-based, with advice contained in twenty easily downloadable sections. Like its predecessor, it is intended it will have SPD (Supplementary Planning Document) status, and thus be a material consideration in Planning Applications.
Respond to this Consultation
Consultation Links
From Richard Wheeler CONSERVATION OFFICER