8.1 The importance of high-quality design is integral to the Local Plan and is therefore central to the planning of all development. This is crucial in Fylde, especially in the seaside resorts of Lytham and St Annes, both of which developed in the Victorian and Edwardian era – an era that is now recognised as producing high-quality architecture. The high quality of design in the Borough is fundamental in attracting people to live in Fylde, for businesses to invest in the area, and it also increases its popularity for tourism.
8.2 National policy states that development that is not well designed should be refused, especially where it fails to reflect local design policies and government guidance on design, taking into account any local design guidance and supplementary planning documents such as design guides and codes. Conversely, significant weight should be given to:
- Development which reflects local design policies and government guidance on design, taking into account any local design guidance and supplementary planning documents such as design guides and codes; and/or
- Outstanding or innovative designs which promote high levels of sustainability, or help raise the standard of design more generally in an area, so long as they fit in with the overall form and layout of their surroundings.
8.3 Principles of good design are set out in the National Design Guide under the following 10 characteristics:
- Context
- Identity
- Built form
- Movement
- Nature
- Public spaces
- Uses
- Homes and buildings
- Resources
- Lifespan
8.4 When considering the design of development, design is therefore much more than the issue of visual appearance – it is about how design can contribute to the way in which an area functions over the lifetime of the development. Well-designed development responds positively to its context and setting, reinforcing local character. Landscaping, including trees, open space and pedestrian and cycle routes providing direct linkages with surrounding areas, must be considered and integrated into the overall layout from the outset.
8.5 Existing Local Plan policy sets out 27 principles that development should follow. It is proposed to review these principles to ensure that they fully reflect the National Design Guide. They will also be reviewed for effectiveness in light of experience in applying the policy.
8.6 The existing Local Plan policy is generic and does not identify place-specific issues. National policy states that authorities should prepare design guides or codes to provide a local framework, reflecting local character and design preferences. It is likely to be necessary for the policy in the new plan to provide for this by including reference to local design guides or codes within the policy, which can then be produced and adopted later.
8.7 Understanding the context of the area surrounding a development site is critically important to successful design but is often neglected in development proposals. The existing policy places significant focus on this; however, there may be benefit in highlighting some of the most critical issues, such as:
- The presence of heritage assets
- Strategically important open spaces
- Natural features such as protected trees
- The broad issue of character to be identified and assessed in the wider surroundings of any site
8.8 In addition to the main design policy, a separate policy sets out requirements that should be met by masterplans for strategic development sites. This sets out 24 criteria for the content of masterplans, many of which cover content also included in the design policy. In the new plan, there will be a need to defer to the National Design Guide in determining the content of design guides or codes for sites. However, the existing masterplanning policy extends beyond this in that it specifies certain infrastructure requirements that should be addressed through masterplanning. The Council will review how this policy operates and how the issues should be addressed in the new plan.
8.9 The issue of planning for climate change has become much more important in the design of places. The existing policy makes recommendations but does not set out requirements, meaning that the policy has little effect. Particular measures that could be incorporated into designs include:
- Avoidance of urban heat island effects through inclusion of trees
- Minimising energy consumption by minimising the external surface areas of buildings
- Surface water mitigation through requirements to include SuDS
The Council will review how policy can be more effective on these matters.
Q51. Do you think there should be a single policy covering all elements of design in the new Local Plan? Or should there instead be separate policies covering (for instance) layout, context, building form, landscaping, movement etc?
Q52. Should the new Local Plan identify any areas where specific design considerations will apply (on a strategic basis)? If so, which areas and what specific considerations should be identified?
Q53. Should the new Local Plan identify areas to be covered by design codes? If so, which areas should these be? Do you have any comments on how the masterplanning of strategic sites should be undertaken, and how requirements for it should be reflected in the new plan?
Q54. What further comments do you have on how the new Local Plan should address the issue of design?
