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____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cotswold District Community Toolkit Collated by GRCC Nov 2016 1
Cotswold District
Community Toolkit A series of ‘how to’ guides for Parish and Town
Councils to support Community-led Planning and
Place Making
Nov 2016
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cotswold District Community Toolkit Collated by GRCC Nov 2016 2
Acknowledgements
The local charity GRCC (Gloucestershire Rural Community Council) has brought together this toolkit
to support communities in the Cotswold District on regarding aspects of community led engagement
and planning.
In producing sections of the toolkit GRCC has worked with 2 communities - Fairford and Mickleton-
to trial some of the techniques and methods. Our thanks to Fairford Town Council and Mickleton
Parish Council for piloting elements of this work.
This work has been funded by Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the
toolkit has been produced in partnership with Cotswold District Council.
Future review and revision
This toolkit will be reviewed and refinements made to reflect development of the Cotswold District
Local Plan and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
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List of contents
Content Page
Introduction 4
Who might use this toolkit? 4
The context 4
Sections in the Cotswold District Community Toolkit 5
How to engage with the wider community – Part A 6
How to engage with the wider community- Part B 7
How to assess and prioritise your community’s infrastructure needs 8
How to protect important green spaces 14
How to asess potential sites for development in the community 23
How to work with developers 29
How to undertake a formal community led plan 31
Help Sheets 1 to 5 32
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cotswold District Community Toolkit Collated by GRCC Nov 2016 4
Cotswold District Community Toolkit
A series of ‘how to’ guides for Parish and Town Councils to support
Community-led Planning and Place Making
Introduction
This toolkit brings together a number of ‘how to’ guides for communities in the Cotswold District in
order to support community led planning and place making.
In composing this toolkit we celebrate our rural context, recognising the opportunities available to
rural communities and also the challenges faced. Cotswold communities need to continue to evolve
in light of drivers such as the ‘digital revolution’ and reduced service delivery as a result of national
and local government cutbacks. Communities are also keen to ensure that decisions about future
priorities are based on a firm understanding of their community and its needs.
Who might use this toolkit?
The toolkit contains seven ‘how to’ guides, two of are ‘Foundation’ elements which relate to general
good practice in community engagement and consultation to aid decision making. These sections are
therefore relevant to all Parish/Town Councils.
The other sections relate to specific community activity- eg in relation to protecting important green
spaces and forming plans for the future. This toolkit can therefore be used to support evidence
gathering in relation to community-led plans such as Parish Plans and Neighbourhood Development
Plans (NDP). It will help communities to assess future infrastructure needs in the Parish/Town so
that communities can benefit fully from developer contributions should future development take
place. In addition, evidence sourced as a result of using this toolkit can be used to comment on
planning applications.
The Context
Cotswold District covers a rural area covering approximately 450 square miles and lies in the eastern
half of Gloucestershire. About 83,000 people live in the District, scattered over nearly 200
settlements and there are 115 parishes, 87 of which are parish and town councils and 28 parishes
which do not have a council, but a parish meeting.
The toolkit is produced in the context of an emerging Local Plan for the Cotswold District which will
guide decisions on the use and development of land up to 2031. Cotswold District Council is also in
the process of producing its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which enables Local Planning
Authorities to raise funds from developers, when undertaking new projects in their area, in order to
fund a wide range of infrastructure that is needed as a result of development. The CIL is a tariff
based approach, set out in a Charging Schedule, which indicates how much developers would be
expected to contribute towards infrastructure. CIL allows for a percentage of the developer
contribution to be received by the community where the development takes place (25% where the
Parish/Town has a NDP in place; 15% where there is not a NDP in place).
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Section 106 can still be payable in certain circumstances to mitigate the impact of a particular development. Section 106 contributions can only be requested in addition to CIL (where CIL is applicable) if that Section 106 contribution is:
Necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms
Directly related to the development
Fairly and reasonably related in kind and scale to the development
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PICK
How to protect
important green spaces
Guidance and checklist
for completion by
communities, produced
by CDC, on evidence
gathering to designate
Local Green Spaces
PICK
How to assess
potential sites for
development in the
community
Instructions and
template forms to
enable communities to
conduct assessments of
potential sites for
housing development
PICK
How to undertake a
formal Community Led
Plan
Links to guidance for
communities on producing
Neighbourhood
Development Plans and the
non statutory Parish Plans
and Design Statement
Sections in the Cotswold District Community Toolkit:
The two Foundation ‘how to’ guides at the base of the following diagram are relevant to all Parish and Town Councils as they relate to sound practice in
engagement and gathering. The top row of guides will be relevant to most communities, dependent on your community’s activity and aspirations.
Hyperlinks are provided to the relevant sections within this toolkit.
PICK
How to assess your
community’s
infrastructure needs
A framework and sample
questions and activities
for communities to
assess their current and
future infrastructure
needs and to prioritise
those needs
Foundations: How to engage with the wider
community Part B: Gathering opinions to
understand your community’s needs
Process and guidance for gathering opinions and reaching
all groups in your community
Foundations: How engage with the wider
community Part A: Analysing how your Parish/Town
Council currently engages
Information and questions to enable parish and town
councils to consider how they currently engage with their
community to make decisions
PICK
How to work with
developers
A guidance note by CDC to
support Parish and Town
Councils in engaging with
developers, particularly
where there are major
developments.
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Pilot study findings
Fairford’s engagement activity has increased
as its Neighbourhood Development Plan
(NDP) Group has undertaken consultation
activity to highlight issues to address,
strengths to capitalise on and hence to inform
the vision and objectives of its emerging NDP.
There has been a proactive approach to
engagement through door-to door delivery of
community surveys and by holding drop in
events. This is a stronger approach than
simply publishing meeting dates on a website
and expecting people to attend.
Use of surveys and drop in sessions rather
than formal public meetings allows more
people to have the opportunity to contribute
and allows those who would not voice their
opinions through public meetings to be
heard.
Information on engagement techniques can
be found in the How to guide to identify and
understand your community’s needs
Communities may also be interested in the Egan Wheel which defines sustainable communities under the following 8 strands:
Social and Cultural
Governance
Transport and connectivity
Services
Environmental
Equity
Economy
Housing and the Built Environment
Back
How to
Engage with the wider community
Part A: Analysing how your Parish/Town Council currently communicates and
engages
As part of the pilot project leading to the composition of this Toolkit, Fairford Town Council and Mickleton
Parish Council considered their engagement techniques and how the town/parish council functions as well
as their understanding of the term ‘infrastructure’. It is helpful for communities to examine the way in
which they currently function to acknowledge and build on good practice and to recognise and address
gaps or areas for improvement.
The list of self assessment questions can be found in Help
Sheet 1
Links with good practice in running parish/town
councils
This toolkit encourages Parish and Town Councils to
consider their governance plus how they engage with the
wider community to ascertain local needs and to influence
decision making. There are already examples of excellent
community engagement by Parish and Town Councils in
Cotswold District and some Councils are undertaking the
Local Council Award Scheme, which provides a framework
by which parish/town councils can show they meet the
standards set by the sector. The Foundation Level relates
to a council acting lawfully, according to standard practice.
Effective community engagement features at the top 2
levels of the Standard- Quality Award and Quality Gold
Award. At Quality Award Level the council should have an
effective Engagement Policy and provide evidence of
community engagement as the community plans for its
future. At Gold Award Level evidence is sought to
demonstrate that the council engages with diverse groups using a variety of methods, with community
engagement leading to positive outcomes for the community.
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Guidance on engagement
Top tips on Listening to Your
Community
Although the Eden Project guide
to Community Consultation has
been composed for NDP groups
the principles and information
will be useful for all Parish and
Town councils seeking to engage
with their community. (See list
of methods from page 16)
Back to Sections
Back to engagement
HOW TO
Engage with the wider community
Part B – Gathering opinions and understand your community’s needs
A) Gathering Community Opinions: Reaching people
In order to ensure that you are reaching all groups in your community the following chart can be used to
identify different groups of people in your Parish/Town and how they might be reached.
Groups in our community eg age groups, interest groups, families, businesses etc
Where might they gather/ what might interest them
Plans: How to reach this group
B) Talk to other stakeholders Make use of the expertise available from statutory authorities on topics ranging from transport and highways to health and education.
C) Desk top research can also draw out facts about your community
Examining census information- available for your parish/town can provide an insight and reveal facts that are not otherwise apparent. Census and other information is also available from Inform Gloucestershire and can relate to:
Demographics- who lives in your community
Health
Employment and jobs
Education and skills Information on planning designations for your area, available from the CDC website, can identify special characteristics of your area to be preserved or addressed. These may relate to designated landscapes, Conservation Area, Listed buildings, flood zones and other designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The emerging Cotswold District Local Plan contains summaries of key settlements and has an evidence base including studies and surveys of the district. On electronic versions you can perform a search to find references to your community. Other studies may be available- eg transport surveys, The following headings can be useful in tracking learning from desktop research
Information is about (Topic)
Source (document)
Link (if appropriate) + page number/section
Content Conclusions/ commentary (ie what is it telling you?)
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HOW TO
Assess And Prioritise Your Local Community’s
Infrastructure Needs
Introduction
When making recommendations for infrastructure needs, especially for Section 106 funding, it is important that Parish /Town Councils can quantify and justify each request. Likewise if communities are compiling a list of infrastructure needs in preparation for future Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding it is likely that it will not be possible to fund all requirements therefore prioritisation, based on robust evidence will aid decision making. This section should be completed before starting on any community led planning. Increasing housing numbers will have an impact on your community. However, many communities will not have gathered the basic information needed to help assess whether further research is needed and which form it should take. This baseline could be used as a starting point for any form of Community Led Planning including Parish Plans, Community Design Statements or Neighbourhood Development Plans. Communities should choose which format is the more appropriate for their circumstances and needs and it is important to keep the amount of research proportionate and reasonable. However, do check with your local planning authority how much weight is given to each format before you start.
Baseline Notes
Number of new homes under CDC Local Plan 2011-2031
Number of planning permissions granted (as of …..date)
Number of homes in community (refer to Census 2011 and then add on any others that have been built up to date)
Number of homes built (as of….date)
Number of homes still to be built (from …..to …….)
Profile of new houses to be built or have been completed e.g. older people’s accommodation, affordable housing, 2 bedroomed etc
Check with developer or study marketing materials or refer to planning consent details for breakdown on numbers etc
Population breakdown as of Census 2011
Pull out key facts which are likely to affect infrastructure
Local Infrastructure Tasks National Requirement
Community’s Conclusion
Recreation grounds play areas and other community green spaces
Record each and measure their size
****
Sports Pavillions Record each one and
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use the same criteria for meeting spaces to formulate a basic outline of this provision
Meeting Spaces – record and gather simple facts, primary purpose, number of people it can house at any one time, facilities included, number of parking spaces, open availability or limited availability
Include village halls, school and church halls etc.
Education – number of children on school/ playgroup roll Catchment area details Max capacity of school Refer to formula in CDC Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2016 to calculate number of places needed
Optional – Evidence gathered could help to influence decisions outside the planning process, e.g. used to help support a grant application or give strength to an argument for a business case
GP Service – current providers Number of patients Capacity to expand
Optional - This information can be obtained from the practise manager. Evidence gathered could be used to help support a business case to share with providers.
Transport Optional – but evidence gathered could be used to help support a business case to share with providers
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Below is a five-step process which communities can follow to establish their needs, priorities and actions.
More detail is provided in the following pages and links are provided to Help sheets eg templates and
checklists which should prove useful and prevent each community ‘reinventing the wheel’
STEP 2: Gathering evidence through research and audits
STEP 3: Analysis and Drawing Conclusions
STEP 4: Prioritising and Justifying
STEP 1: Defining infrastructure in your community
STEP 5: Forming an Action Plan for Delivery and
Management
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Pilot study findings
Communities’ definition of
infrastructure needs vary. Those
interviewed in Mickleton placed
importance on social
infrastructure as well as the
more traditional capital aspects.
STEP 1: Defining local infrastructure in your community
Gaining an understanding of your local infrastructure needs is all about getting to know your place and its
context. It helps paint a picture of how it functions, what works well and not so well, and when and what
are the key elements which contribute towards making it a successful sustainable community.
It is also important to understand what role Cotswold District Council, as the Local Planning Authority (LPA),
has in identifying critical and essential infrastructure as part of the Local Plan and decision making process.
A LPA can only seek the delivery of infrastructure which meet nationally set tests. LPAs have to consider
viability issues for any development and therefore can be restricted on the amount of financial gain/
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). They must balance collecting revenue through CIL to fund
infrastructure (critical infrastructure) and ensuring that the rates are not so high as to put the development
at serious risk. This means that there is likely to be funding shortfalls and Parish and Town Councils, for the
future, will have a key role to play in helping to bridge the financial gap in local infrastructure provision,
alongside other funding solutions.
The following sections give you the tools to enable you to establish your local community needs, priorities
and next steps for action.
Completing the following table will demonstrate your
understanding of roles of relevant partners involved in delivery of
the various elements of infrastructure relevant to your parish. This
can be completed by parish/town councillors or it could be a ‘kick
off’ activity in a wider community consultation.
Infrastructure aspect
Organisation Role How delivered
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The following headings may prove useful when defining local infrastructure within your Parish/Town. When
defining local infrastructure needs refer to the CDC Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2016 to help understand
wider infrastructure provision which may influence your decisions at a local level.
Community and culture
Meeting places
Library
Youth services
a) Open space, sport and recreation
Indoor
o Meeting places
o Indoor spaces for other recreational facilities
Outdoor
o Sports facilities
o Play facilities- formal and informal
o Other green infrastructure –
woods, parks, allotments, orchards
b) Other
Street furniture (includes street lighting, signage, bins, bus shelters)
Employment hubs
The following aspects of infrastructure will more likely be outside the scope of a parish or town councils’
ability to meet the costs of this provision through CIL received. However, gathering evidence on these could
be used to inform discussions with providers, which is why it has been included here. Evidence gathered
could also be used to shape the contents of a Neighbourhood Development Plan to help the LPA when
making key decisions on these aspects when considering housing development.
Education- schools, colleges and nurseries
Healthcare - facilities (GP surgeries, dentist etc)
Transport (roads, traffic, parking, pavements and
footpaths/bridle paths/cycle paths (including accessibility
and linkages), transport)
Utilities
Gas
Electricity
Broadband
Mobile telephone infrastructure
Water management (flooding, water supply and waste water)
Infrastructure is defined
as: The basic facilities and
installations that help a
government or community
run, including roads,
schools, phone lines,
sewage treatment plants
and power generation.
This covers a wide range
of items, some state-run
while others are
community run. As
communities change, so
their infrastructure needs
may alter.
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A community’s approach
Fairford NDP’s community
consultation demonstrated
concern about the capacity of
the sewerage system in the
town to cope with current, let
alone future, housing
pressures. The group tested
this perspective and checked
facts through discussions
with Thames Water to gain
the supplier’s perspective.
STEP 2: Gathering evidence through research and audits
You are aiming to find out the following with a view to using the information to engage discussion and decisions in your community:
How well do the infrastructure facilities meet current needs?
Are they ‘at capacity’?
Future proofing - ie could they cater for changing population/needs?
A) Ask the community
It is important to gain the community’s view on local infrastructure provision now and in the future. Guidance in the toolkit section How to identify and understand your Community’s Needs provides information on engagement techniques which can be used at this stage. Marking the physical infrastructure on a map can be a good starting point for discussion. Open or closed questions can be used asking people to rate the facilities – in terms of importance to their household and in terms of level of satisfaction with the facility. Open questions can generate thoughts about future capacity and needs.
B) Check the community’s perspective: Finding out the suppliers’ perspectives and plans
Conversations/ interviews with the managers of those infrastructure
facilities/ services will allow you to test the community’s perspective. It
will also give the chance to find out if the managers have any issues they
wish to raise/ ideas about future needs. Help sheets 2+3 contains audit checklist and sample questions for
use for community building/ meeting spaces and also for providers of other services- eg Health Services.
A table can be used to plan and track discussions and a simple report of findings presented
C) Check the community’s perspective: Other research
The Cotswold District Council Infrastructure Delivery Plan contains an
assessment of Infrastructure needs. However bear in mind that this
document has been devised to supplement the Local Plan and covers the
strategic needs of the whole district. Other surveys/reports may also be
available- eg relating to transport, Highways or Flooding.
Infrastructure aspect
Provider- including contact details
Date of communications
Comments made by providers (or reference to document containing report
Avoid repeating previous
consultations
It may be the case that your community has previously carried out an activity to identify people’s opinions on what they value and the needs/ challenges in the locality. If so, it is a good idea to use that information as the basis for new questions. Eg ‘in 2005, your let us know that the following issues were important for our community. Since then the following changes have taken place. Which of these points are still relevant to our community. What else is important to you and why?
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Workshop Plan
1. Presentation of findings, including
Overview of research carried out
Is community perception backed up
by other research?
Other organisations with a role to
play in addressing this need
Any plans in place and status of those
plans
2. Following each presentation, consider
and list:
Key messages about needs (this can
result in a vision and objectives for
your community).
3. Consider whether plans already in place
(from a variety of organisations with a
role to play) adequately address issues
identified
4. For those which are not being addressed,
generate ideas/options about how the
needs might be addressed.
5. Begin to consider the benefits and
concerns of each option and list further
research required –eg costs/
permissions/ legal aspects
GRCC staff can facilitate workshops in your
community.
Lechlade NDP group found that
presenting information from their
research to the wider community,
through a Drop in Day enabled
the NDP group to justify why they
were pursuing some aspects of
infrastructure and not others in
their NDP.
They provided boards of
information summarising their
research and conclusions and
checked with the community
whether they agreed with those
conclusions
STEP 3: Analysis and Drawing Conclusions
The table of findings suggested at Step 3 will
contain key points gained during the evidence
gathering stage. These now need to be considered
and key messages drawn out about future needs.
A workshop can be a useful method of involving
Parish/Town Councillors and residents in
considering needs and an overview of a possible
workshop plan is provided on this page. In some
communities, councillors may be willing to
present findings in each area, thus dividing the
task.
Some Parish/Town Councils may be confident in
involving the wider community in this initial
workshop. Others may prefer an internal meeting
to discuss and trial the approach and then take a
summary to the community, with justified
conclusions.
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Prioritisation wheel
This tool is a visual way of prioritising which allows all
participants to be heard. It can be a helpful technique
to use if you have a number of projects / activities in
the ‘must have’ category.
How it works: A series of concentric circles are drawn
on a large piece of paper. Each project is represented
on a card and all are placed around the outer ring of
the concentric circles. Each person, in turn moves one
project card one ring inward (towards the centre).
Carry on doing this, in turn, until projects move
forward towards the ‘bullseye’. It may be that there is
no consensus, in which case, more discussion may be
needed. You may require each person to justify their
‘move’ and this activity can be carried out in groups
and responses compared.
STEP 4: Prioritising and Justifying Decisions
It is unlikely that all the infrastructure needs identified in Step 3 can be met immediately therefore
discussion will be necessary to consider levels of importance, likelihood of delivery and timescales.
Again it is best practice to involve the wider community in decision making. Two levels of involvement may
be considered:
a) Presentation of the facts established to date and enabling discussion and decision making by
residents /other stakeholders
b) Parish/Town Council prioritisation and presentation of potential decisions for comment prior to
amendment (as appropriate) and final decision.
The first model is the most participative but practical factors eg organising the event, time constraints and
the number of projects/ activities to be considered will affect your conclusion about which model to use.
However, in both cases the principles and process of decision making are identical: Present the facts then
discuss and prioritise.
Present the facts – Following Step 3 you will have investigated rough costs and timescales for each
project /activity identified. These can be
presented on summary sheets or boards - one per
project/ activity.
Discuss and prioritise
Some groups may prefer to discuss all factors ‘in
the round’ but it is worth considering separating
the discussion and prioritisation in relation to
need prior to cross referencing against other
elements (such as cost, timescales responsibility,
feasibility) in order to ensure that the discussion
does not drift or lose focus. To discuss and
prioritise according to need, you could ask people
to divide the projects into level of need categories.
This task can be done visually- eg one sheet of
paper per option and cards representing projects.
Must have – eg key service for local residents/
service users. Urgent need for repairs or to
increase capacity due to change in population.
Should have – improvements which are not
vital but would alleviate pressure
Could have – These would be the ‘nice to
have’ projects
Not needed – if the previous steps have been
followed it is logical to assume that there will
be no projects in this category.
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If you are finding it difficult to decide if a
project is needed – try asking the questions:
What will happen if this does not take
place?- what alternatives are available?
A well specified requirement is
Uniquely identifiable
Current
Consistent
Justified (why needed-
verifiable with an audit trail of
evidence)
Back
Once you have established level of need then you can
consider the other factors. These can be considered
individually or grouped. Discussion may lead to re-ordering
of the priorities.
Consider
Cost
Resources required
Ease of achieving
Level of priority on others’ agenda (Do your discussions with other stakeholders suggest that this is
a priority for them? Does it feature in any published plans eg CDC Infrastructure Delivery Plan,
Gloucestershire Transport Plans etc? )
Responsibility and role of the Parish /Town Council
Timescales and time to complete- can it be achieved in an appropriate and realistic timescale?
Linkages with the other projects/plans
Legal and quality requirements (eg are there minimum standards / will planning permission be
required?)
STEP 5: Forming an Action Plan for Delivery and Management
There will be two categories of project/ activity
1. Those for which other organisations will take the lead (eg
transport, roads, education): Your action plan for this
category is likely to relate to the Parish/Town Council’s role
and this could vary from initiating or engaging in concept or
planning discussions to securing elements of funding to
ensure that the project happens.
2. Those which the community will lead – eg local facilities for
meeting places, play facilities: Action plans for this category
will be detailed and involve developing detailed specification so that requirements are clear and
exact costs can be identified.
A general action plan would typically contain the following headings:
Project/ activity
title
Action to be
undertaken
Timescales Responsibility Progress
The Parish/Town Council should monitor and report on delivery and should assess the benefits of the
new infrastructure. This would typically be considered during regular or specific sub-committee
meetings.
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HOW TO
Protect important green spaces
Guidance and checklist provided by CDC INTRODUCTION The Natural Environment White Paper (The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature 2011) highlighted “the importance of green spaces to the health and happiness of local communities”. Green spaces, particularly natural green spaces, located close to local people provide a range of social, environmental and economic benefits, including –
improved mental and physical health
increased social activity
increased physical activity
reduced crime
improvements to children’s learning
increased voluntary action
improved community cohesion and sense of belonging
potential for local food growing
more attractive places to live, work, play, visit and invest
enhanced opportunities for wildlife habitats and wildlife corridors
climate change adaptation for example by flood alleviation
The White Paper recommended that a new Green Areas designation be introduced that would give
local people an opportunity to protect green spaces that have significant importance to their local
communities.
“We propose that green spaces should be identified in neighbourhood plans and local plans
which complement and do not undermine investment in homes, jobs and other essential
services. Given the importance of green spaces to the health and happiness of local
communities the Government considers the new designation should offer suitably strong
protection to localised areas that are demonstrably special ….”
That recommendation was incorporated into the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) as
the new designation of Local Green Spaces.
PURPOSE OF THE TOOLKIT
This guidance and checklist is designed to support local communities in putting forward their local
open spaces for formal designation as a Local Green Space in a robust, consistent and
transparent manner.
The Policy Context
National Planning Policy Framework The NPPF provides the following information on Local Green Space designations -
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76. Local communities through local and neighbourhood plans should be able to identify for special protection green areas of particular importance to them. By designating land as Local Green Space local communities will be able to rule out new development other than in very special circumstances. Identifying land as Local Green Space should therefore be consistent with the local planning of sustainable development and complement investment in sufficient homes, jobs and other essential services. Local Green Spaces should only be designated when a plan is prepared or reviewed, and be capable of enduring beyond the end of the plan period. 77. The Local Green Space designation will not be appropriate for most green areas or open space. The designation should only be used:
where the green space is in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves;
where the green area is demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife; and
Where the green area concerned is local in character and is not an extensive tract of land.
78. Local policy for managing development within a Local Green Space should be consistent with policy for Green Belts.
Additional guidance is provided in the National Planning Practice Guidance.
Local and Neighbourhood Plans
Local Green Spaces can be designated through the emerging Cotswold Local Plan or through
neighbourhood plans.
A policy, related to Local Green Spaces, will be included in the emerging Cotswold Local Plan.
Where relevant an appropriate policy should also be included in neighbourhood plans.
The proposed text for the emerging Cotswold Local Plan is included at appendix 2.
PROCESS FOR DESIGNATION
Step 1
If your community is considering designating an area as a Local Green Space, it may be
helpful to test the site against the “decision tree” in Figure 1 on page 4.
Step 2
Make informal contact with the Council (contact Lesley Davies, Forward Planning) so that
we can provide you with help in deciding whether it is worth progressing with the
designation process.
Step 3
If the site seems potentially suitable we will ask you to complete the designation checklist
(including all the relevant evidence) see pages 7-12
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Step 4
We will review the evidence you have provided and give guidance as to whether we
consider the site is suitable for designation and whether any additional evidence is
required. If the evidence is sufficiently robust and, in the case of designation through the
Local Plan, Cotswold District Council considers the site suitable, the designation process
can start.
Step 5
If the site is to be designated in the Local Plan, we will consult the owner of the land (if
known).
If the site is to be designated in a Neighbourhood Plan, those responsible for producing that
plan should consult the owner of the land (if known).
Step 6
The site can then be considered for inclusion in the appropriate draft Local or
Neighbourhood Plan. The deadline for inclusion in the emerging Cotswold Local Plan is
14th June 2014.
Step 7
The site designation will be “tested” through the plan process. Anybody can object to
policies or sites in a plan during the consultation process and these consultation responses
must be considered. Neighbourhood Plans will also be subject to a local referendum. Both
Local and Neighbourhood Plans are formally scrutinised by a Planning Inspector or an
Independent Examiner, who will ensure that the plans are robust and based on sound
evidence.
Step 8
Formal designation when the relevant plan is approved.
It is important to note that the designation process could take some time and that it may be
worth looking in parallel at other means of protecting or enhancing the site.
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Figure 1 -Decision tree
Potential Local Green Space Site
Has planning permission for
development already been
granted at this site?
Is that permission likely
to be implemented?
Unless that permission/allocation can be
implemented and the Local Green Space
still be accommodated on the site, Local
Green Space designation is not normally
appropriate
Is the site of particular
value to the local
community?
Is the site an “extensive tract of land”?
The site is not likely to be suitable for Local
Green Space
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Is the site
reasonably close
to the community
it serves?
Consider other alternatives to Local Green
Space designation
Yes
Progress to considering in detail whether
the site is suitable for Local Green Space
designation
No
No
Is the site
allocated for
development in
the Local or
Neighbourhood
Plan?
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Criteria for Designation
Any type of green space could be suitable for Local Green Space designation from recreational
land with a sports pavilion or the area around a war memorial to allotments or an urban space that
provides a tranquil oasis.
As Local Green Space designation means that development is highly unlikely to be permitted on a
site, there is a strong possibility that land owners and others will challenge the designation. To
meet that challenge the designation must be based on solid evidence that the site meets the
relevant criteria. This will be easier to demonstrate if the checklist in this toolkit is completed and
the relevant evidence provided.
A potential Local Green Space site must meet the criteria set out in the NPPF, and further detailed
in the National Planning Practice Guidance. These criteria are not specific – they do not give set
distances or areas, but act as guidance which should then be interpreted at a local level.
In order to ensure that any designation in the District is robust, we have created a checklist against
which potential Local Green Space sites should be tested.
Not every potential site will meet every criteria however all sites must meet the following
criteria in the checklist –
Point 2.1 not with an extant planning permission within which the Local Green Space could not be accommodated
Point 2.2 not allocated for development in the relevant Neighbourhood Plan or the Local Plan, unless it can be shown that the Local Plan housing allocation is not strategic and can be re-located somewhere else in the neighbourhood plan area; or alternatively that the Local Green Space could be incorporated within the site as part of the allocated development
Point 3.2 Not an “extensive tract of land”
Point 3.3 “local in character”
Point 5 in “proximity to the community it serves”
Point 6 “demonstrably special to the local community”
And all sites must meet at least one of the following criteria in the Checklist-
Point 7 “particular local significance … because of its beauty”
Point 8 “particular local significance … because of its historic significance”
Point 9 “particular local significance … because of its recreational value”
Point 10 “particular local significance … because of its tranquillity”
Point 11 “particular local significance … because of its wildlife”
Point 12 “particular local significance … for any other reason”
In order to provide further certainty, it is proposed that Natural England’s Accessible Natural
Greenspace Standards (ANGSt) are used to define the likely size of a suitable Local Green Space
and its distance from the local community. Therefore a Local Green Space should normally be
located within 2km (1.25 miles) of the community it serves and a site of 2ha (5 acres) or less
should be located within 300m (325 yards) (or 5 minutes’ walk) of the community it serves. Given
the rural nature of the District, it may be necessary to relax these requirements in certain
circumstances.
A site of over 20ha (50 acres) would be considered to be “an extensive tract of land” and therefore
not suitable for designation as a Local Green Space
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Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard (Natural England 2010) ANGSt recommends that everyone, wherever they live, should have an accessible natural greenspace:
of at least 2 hectares (5 acres) in size, no more than 300 metres (325 yards) (5 minutes walk) from home;
at least one accessible 20 hectare (50 acres) site within two kilometres (1.25 miles) of home;
one accessible 100 hectare (250 acres) site within five kilometres (3 miles) of home; and
one accessible 500 hectare (1240 acres) site within ten kilometres ( 6.25 miles) of home; plus
a minimum of one hectare (2.5 acres) of statutory Local Nature Reserves per thousand population.
The checklist for Local Green Space designation can be found in Help sheet 4
ALTERNATIVES TO LOCAL GREEN SPACE DESIGNATION
If during the process it becomes evident that the site is not appropriate for local green space
designation, there are other options that can be investigated.
Agreements with land-owners
It may be possible for local communities to reach either formal or informal agreements with the
owner of the site to ensure access to the site for local people. This may be an appropriate option
where the site owner has a long-term connection with the local area, for example the owner of a
large historic estate. It may be possible for the land-owner to dedicate the site as “open access
land”.
Further information:
Right of way and open access land - GOV.UK
Community Purchase
In some instances local communities have purchased important sites to ensure that they remain in
community control in perpetuity. The ownership can lie with the Town or Parish Council or with a
specific trust.
Village Green status
Anyone can apply to register land as a green if it has been used by local people for lawful sports
and pastimes ‘as of right’ (ie without permission, force or secrecy) for at least 20 years.
Further information:
Town and village greens: how to register
Open Spaces Society
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Local Nature Reserves
A Local Nature Reserve (LNR) provide people with special opportunities to study or learn about nature or simply to enjoy it. Local Nature Reserves are designated by district or county councils and the Local Authority must control the LNR through ownership, lease or agreement with the owner. Further information:
Natural England
Assets of Community Value
The Community Right to Bid gives community groups a fairer chance to prepare and bid to buy
community buildings and facilities that are important to them. This could include village shops,
pubs or allotments. The right covers private as well as public assets. It is important to nominate
land and buildings to be part of the register of ‘assets of community value’, which is held by the
Local Authority (Cotswold District Council). If something on this register is offered for sale, the
community then have up to six months to prepare a bid.
Further information:
www.gov.uk
My Community Rights
Cotswold District Council – Community right to bid
APPENDIX 1 to Local Green Space Designation Guidance: DRAFT COTSWOLD LOCAL
PLAN POLICY AND SUPPORTING TEXT
Draft Supporting Text
National policy makes provision for local communities to identify green areas of particular
importance to those communities, where development will not be permitted except in very
special circumstances. These Local Green Spaces can be designated through the local
plan or through neighbourhood plans. The following sites have been proposed as Local
Green Spaces through the local plan consultation process –
A
B
C
Additional guidance is provided on the criteria and evidence required for selection of local
green space sites in “Local Green Spaces – a toolkit for local communities in Cotswold
District”
Neighbourhood plans, when produced, should seek the provision and enhancement of
green infrastructure, including Local Green Spaces where designated, as well as including
the designation of new Local Green Spaces where appropriate.
Draft Policy
Local communities are encouraged to include new and robustly justified Local Green Spaces within their neighbourhood plans, where this designation does not prevent identified development needs being met. The selection of these sites should be guided by the advice in “Local Green Spaces– a toolkit for local communities in Cotswold District”
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Development that would harm the openness or special character of a Local Green Space or its significance and value to the local community will not be permitted unless there are very special circumstances which outweigh the harm to the Local Green Space.
WEB REFERENCES
Natural Environment White Paper – The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature (2011)
http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm80/8082/8082.pdf
National Planning Policy Framework.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2
National Planning Practice Guidance.
http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/open-space-green-space-and-rights-
of-way-2/local-green-space-designation/
Natural England – Accessible Natural Greenspace Standards
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/40004?category=47004
Natural England – Landscape
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/landscape/default.aspx
Natural England - mapping
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/publications/maps/default.aspx
Natural England – Local Nature Reserves
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/lnr/
Land Registry
http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/
Cotswold District Council – planning applications
http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/planning/online-planning-register/
Cotswold District Council – planning policy
http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/planning-policy/
Cotswold District Council – Open Spaces, Sport and Recreation Study
http://consult.cotswold.gov.uk/portal/fp/open_spaces/open_spaces_sport_and_recreation_study?ta
b=files
Cotswold District Council – Community right to bid
http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/business/land-property/community-right-to-bid/
Gloucestershire County Council – Find your Councillor
http://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?bcr=1
Gloucestershire County Council – public rights of way
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/prow
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Greenspace
http://www.green-space.org.uk/index.php
House of Commons – find your MP
http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/
Campaign to Protect Rural England – home page
http://www.cpre.org.uk/
Campaign to Protect Rural England – tranquil places
http://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-do/countryside/tranquil-places
Cotswolds Conservation Board
http://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/
Gloucestershire Rural Community Council
http://www.grcc.org.uk/
Cotswold Water Park Trust
http://www.waterpark.org/
English Heritage
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/protection/process/national-heritage-list-for-
england/
Gloucestershire Historic Environment Record
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/her
Gloucestershire Archives
http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives/article/107703/Archives-Homepage
Sport England
http://www.sportengland.org/
Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records
http://www.gcer.co.uk/
National Biodiversity Network
http://www.nbn.org.uk/
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/BoCC_tcm9-217852.pdf
Town and village greens: how to register
https://www.gov.uk/town-and-village-greens-how-to-register
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Back
Open Spaces Society
http://www.oss.org.uk/what-we-do/village-greens/
My Community Rights
http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/community-right-to-bid/
www.gov.uk – Community right to bid
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/giving-people-more-power-over-what-happens-in-their-
neighbourhood/supporting-pages/community-right-to-bid
www.gov.uk – open access land
https://www.gov.uk/right-of-way-open-access-land/open-access-land
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HOW TO:
Assess potential sites for development in the
community
WHAT AND WHY?
A key stage for the Local Plan will be to select appropriate sites for the necessary development, mainly but not exclusively for housing. A study by Cotswold District Council – the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) – forms a key stage in this. The potential development sites assessed in the SHLAA have come from a wide variety of sources: landowners, property agents, local communities and others such as the County Council. Whilst the SHLAA is an important source of evidence to inform plan-making, it absolutely does not determine whether a site should be allocated for development. The SHLAA is not the end of the identification process; other sites can put forward at any time – and that includes you, the local community. You may also wish to say why a site that has been excluded in the SHLAA should be reconsidered.
Each possible site needs to be assessed using what is mainly a nationally agreed set of criteria, if with some variations specific to Cotswold District. Information about those already assessed is valuable but it can very usefully be elaborated and made stronger if local people can add in some more detailed information. That is what this Site Assessment Toolkit is for.
Possible sites may be large and obvious. They can also be small and that may be particularly true in the smaller parishes. In either case they can be ‘infill’, often back land behind a main street frontage. This can be good (it saves pushing to build beyond settlement edges) or bad (it loses some important ‘breathing space’ in the village/town). All sites need to be looked at, and considered using the same criteria to avoid challenge if a site is excluded later in the plan-making process. However, any site needs to be able to provide 5 or more houses to be included in the SHLAA.
Sites also do not have to be selected in full; it is possible to use the evidence of an assessment to show that only part of a site is appropriate. Taking this further, site assessments can be used to actually protect a site from development by producing evidence about its value to the local community. Finally, a site assessment can provide valuable guidance about the appropriate type, nature and form of development (or what might happen if the decision is to protect it). However, the end result will always need to be a site, or a selection of sites, in your parish or town that can deliver the required amount of development.
The toolkit is based on proven sustainable development appraisal methods and it is designed to add to and complement the technical work undertaken by the planners and other officers. What you and they produce will be key to providing an evidence base from which will help the process of making robust and defensible allocation choices.
The result of your work will be an assessment for each site in your parish or town. Once all of your site assessments are completed we would like you to consider, with your whole community, which site or sites would be most appropriate. We have provided you with a form in your information pack to help you to do this.
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HOW?
For each site assessment, there are four forms to be completed – see HELPSHEET 5.
A completed set of forms included in this toolkit will be needed for each SHLAA site and for any further sites that you wish to put forward.
For forms B and C we suggest trying to fill in some information before you go out, adding to, checking and perhaps changing this once actually looking at a site.
Most questions should be fairly self-explanatory but there is an overall Site Assessment Guidance Note to help you if you wish.
FORM A: Baseline Information)
For existing SHLAA sites, the information will be added into the top form.
You will need to check and add to the information in the ‘Designations and Known Constraints’ boxes and this is best completed before moving on to the other forms.
FORM B: Connections and Access)
This form is about how and how well the site connects to various local facilities.
Boxes are included for some common facilities; use as appropriate and add/change boxes if there are other relevant facilities to mention.
The form is also about the nature and quality of access to the site.
There is an interim summary in this section.
FORM C: Site Environment)
This form addresses a variety of aspects about the environment of the site itself and its surroundings.
There is also an interim summary in this section.
For both Form B and Form C, please take plenty of photographs as you go out to complete the assessment. Wherever possible, mark on a site plan where each photo was taken from and the direction in which it was taken. Please also number and/or label the photos once you have downloaded them onto your computer.
FORM D: Overall Assessment Summary
This is where all results come together towards an overall assessment but this is still only an assessment, any decision to allocate a site will be made later.
There is a mock-up of a completed form – a Worked Example.
Once assessments have been completed for all sites, see the Practicalities note for what to do next.
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GUIDANCE NOTES
These notes refer solely to Forms B, C and D. (Form A instructions are shown separately.)
Forms A, B and C are needed when completing Form D.
FORM B: ASSESSING SITE CONNECTIONS
Background
This section assesses how well connected a site is to local facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. It also considers the quality of pedestrian and vehicle access.
Minimising the need to drive and locating development where it is attractive to walk or cycle to local facilities and green space is central to achieving “sustainable development”.
But driving is often essential, especially in rural communities. The ability of a site, and the roads connecting it, to accommodate vehicle access and movement without harming pedestrian safety and environmental quality is an important factor in site assessment.
Instructions
Initial Desktop Tasks Before Going Out
1. Using your knowledge, have a first stab at answering questions on Form B.
2. On an overall village map, record the site boundary, village facilities and the routes from the site to each facility.
3. Highlight known route safety and (in) convenience issues.
4. Mark the known access points into the site on the site plan and be sure to cover vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist access.
On-site Tasks
Take some sort of clipboard and pen and camera with you. Then:
1. Review and validate Connections desktop evidence.
2. Add/correct evidence on map and form.
3. Agree comments with the group before filling in the form.
4. Take plenty photographs.
Some Prompts
1 Walking to Services
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For assessing walking distance consider:
5 minutes walk is about 500m. This walking distance is likely to be viable for most people.
10 minutes walk is about 1 km. (0.7 mile). This is a reasonable distance for about 50% of people.
For assessing the quality of any route consider:
Convenience, eg. directness, topography.
Safety, eg. road crossings, pavements, lighting.
Accessibility, eg. quality of surfaces, steps.
Attractiveness, eg. tranquillity, views and nature.
NB. We have shown only typical main facilities. If you have other local facilities, print and complete another form.
2 Access into the Site
For the quality of access into the site, consider:
How many accesses are there?
What are they suited to; pedestrians and/or vehicles?
Is there direct access to the highway or is it across other land (a ransom strip)?
Is there sufficient width and visibility?
Will work necessary to make an access harm the quality of the environment?
For the quality and capacity of any connecting roads, consider:
Are there any existing congestion or safety problems?
Might there be problems if development took place?
What improvements may be required to resolve problems?
3 Connections Summary
Try to highlight just the key points in the site's favour.
Try to suggest just the key actions required to overcome any constraints to make it a suitable site.
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FORM C: ASSESSING THE SITE ENVIRONMENT
Background
This section records site features and assesses their importance to the village and its landscape setting.
It broadly follows a ‘landscape and visual assessment’ method of appraisal; this will help surveys to be more robust and coordinated with work undertaken by CDC.
Views to and from the site, its natural and built features and its ecology may contribute to its importance in terms of character or local green infrastructure.
This will influence how sensitive the site is and how tolerant it is to accommodating development.
Instructions
Desktop Tasks before Going to the Site
1. Have a first stab at questions on Form C.
2. Put a ring round the most suitable descriptions provided in boxes.
3. Add comments and information.
4. Record known views, natural and built features on the site plan.
On-site Tasks
Take some sort of clipboard and pen and camera with you. Then:
1. Review and validate environmental desktop evidence.
2. Add/correct evidence on map and form.
3. Agree comments with the group before filling in the form.
4. Take plenty of photographs.
5. In the summary, tick one of the boxes. Notes can be added to explain the tick.
Some Prompts
Site Characteristics
Part 1 is about recording and placing a value on the features on and around the site.
To ensure a thorough task, questions assess a list of natural and built features in turn. However, use the summary to assess the overall quality of the environment.
Features visible around the site may be important to its character or future use. Record these as well as those on the site and its boundary.
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FORM D: OVERALL ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
This is where you bring together all completed forms.
Background
The assessment is about whether the site is a potential option for some form of development.
It is only ‘potential’ at this stage because all sites and all factors need to be considered before any final decision.
Make your assessment in light of the designations and known constraints, the quality of connections and access, and the sensitivity of the environment.
Instructions
Bring together Forms A, B and C to make this overall assessment.
Convene the group to agree the overall summary.
Tick one of the main choices at the top right and add notes in the boxes that follow.
Sign and date the survey and provide contact information.
The Practicalities note explains how to assemble and send in completed forms.
Explanation of ‘Sensitivity to Change’
‘Sensitivity to change’ refers to the extent to which any development (change) on a site might have a negative effect on environmental quality.
‘Low’ is when a site could (in general) accommodate development without significant negative impacts, ‘Medium’ when some negative impacts might result but could be mitigated, and ‘High’ when a site and its setting might be damaged by any form of development.
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HOW TO
WORK WITH DEVELOPERS
Guidance for parish and town councils by Cotswold District Council
The purpose of this guidance note is to support Parish and Town Councils in engaging with
developers, particularly where there are major developments. Good engagement with
developers should ensure that communities have a genuine opportunity to have their say
in shaping development proposals before any planning applications are submitted.
A. Parish and Town Councils should:
- Be prepared to be positive and proactive in engaging constructively with developers, the District Council and other service providers from an early stage. In doing so they should consider the issues relating to particular development proposals and present any relevant evidence to support the Parish/Town Council’s position.
- Assist in identifying and engaging other interested groups/organisations operating within their community.
- Help to provide information to the community by identifying local people, places or means of communication that could be used by developers to publicise their proposals and related community involvement opportunities.
- Seek to understand the full range of community interests the Town/parish Council is representing with regard to particular development proposals.
- Identify, clearly and at an early stage, the issues relating to the development proposal(s) that are a priority for the Parish/Town Council and the questions that need asking of the developer, the District Council and or other services.
- Help in establishing more detailed evidence of gaps or pressures on existing services or facilities, quantify need for local infrastructure improvements and confirm details of delivery and on-going responsibility
- Acknowledge and respect the rights of all stakeholders to express their views.
B. Parish and Town Councils should NOT: - - Seek to negotiate with developers on Local Plan policy requirements, such as need and
requirement for Affordable Housing.
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NOTE:
BY FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE, PARISH AND TOWN COUNCILS ARE NOT INDICATING THEIR
SUPPORT FOR ANY PARTICULAR PLANNING PROPOSALS.
What CDC requests from developers before they submit a planning application (called a
‘pre application’ stage?)
The level of information can vary depending on the location of the application and the site
constraints. There are a number of things which CDC requests from developers, so the Parish /Town
Council can take comfort that these issues will be raised through the application process- eg
Landscape requirements will cover the fact that a settlement is in the AONB, the Ecological
Assessment will pick up where there is a SSSI
Issues to be addressed/provided for by developers through the application process:
Design and Access statement which may need to include heritage appraisal depending on
whether Listed Buildings, Conservation Area etc are affected
Planning Statement
Flood Risk Assessment / Sustainable Drainage Scheme – for sites over 1 hectare or in Flood
Zones 2 or 3
Waste Minimisation Statement
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment – need to consider both landscape character and
landscape appearance
Tree Survey and Arboricultural Method Statement- in accordance with BS5837: 2012 ‘Trees
in relation to design, demolition and construction – recommendations
Statement of Community Involvement
Archaeological Investigation – dependent on advice from Charles Parry at Gloucestershire
County Council
Ecological Assessment/ protected species survey
Draft S106 Agreement or Unilateral Undertaking to cover affordable housing and financial
contributions
Traffic Assessment and Travel Plan
Transport Statement and Safety Audit
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HOW TO
Undertake a Formal Community-led Plan
Community-led plans come in a variety of forms and communities will need to decide on which will
best suit their community’s needs. GRCC staff can come to your community to describe the types of
plan in more detail and help you to make an informed decision about which to pursue.
1. PARISH PLAN: community engagement and consultation leading to the development of an
ACTION PLAN for a Parish/Town. This can cover a variety of topics, from setting up new groups,
to improvements and maintenance of facilities. Some may also contain actions relating to
lobbying or provide a community ‘position statement’ to guide Parish/Town Council decision
making eg on planning applications. It is good practice for the Parish/Town Council to track
progress of the actions and to refresh the parish plan.
The GRCC website contains further information on Parish Plans, their benefits and the process
involved and GRCC staff can provide support to communities to undertake a Parish Plan and to
refresh their existing Plans.
2. COMMUNITY DESIGN STATEMENT: Formerly known as Village Design Statements, production of
these documents involve engaging with the community to gain an understanding and to define
important design characteristics in the area.
Cotswold District Council has a design code which forms supplementary Planning Guidance to be
considered at planning application and negotiation stage. However some communities
supplement this with information which is more specific to their community.
Forming a Design Statement will typically involve a character assessment (walkabout) and research
to identify local characteristics, involving the community in prioritising the importance of those
characteristics and using that information to form a concise document which contains design
guidance for developers and council decision makers.
The GRCC staff team can supply support to your community to undertake a Design Statement and
the GRCC website contains information on the process. www.grcc.org.uk
3. NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Since 2013, communities have had the power to
undertake Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs) which define local planning policies in
relation to a defined neighbourhood or area.
The My Community website contains a number of resources explaining NDPs and the process
involved and a good starting point is the Roadmap on NDPs. The process is far more onerous
than for parish plans and Design Statements as NDPs are statutory documents.
GRCC staff can support and advise on NDPs.
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Help sheet 1: Self-assessment - How does your parish/town council operate?
The following questions will allow you to analyse your current practice and to explore your
aspirations in relation to community engagement and involvement.
Section A: Your community’s needs:
1. What are the current issues and needs for your parish/town? 2. Please highlight the key priorities for your parish/town 3. How do you know these are the needs/ issues? 4. The term ‘infrastructure’ means the basic facilities, services and installations needed for the
functioning of a community. 5. How has infrastructure been provided/ improved in your parish in the past? (Infrastructure
improvements) 6. Please comment on any barriers to defining/providing this infrastructure – what could be learnt
from the experience?
Section B: Your ways of working
1. How do you currently carry out the following (please explain methods used) a. Share information about decisions with the community? b. Find out about community issues, needs and ideas? c. Which sections of the community (if any) do you find difficult to engage with? d. Do you have any polices in place for engagement with the community/groups (including
comments/complaints) e. Please list any community led planning in place and in process (add in dates as appropriate).
f. Has the council undertaken a Local Council Award Scheme or Quality Parish/ Town Council schemes? If yes please provide details including dates and levels awarded.
2. Using a scale of 0-5, where 0 is Poor and 5 is Excellent, please rate your parish/town council’s
current practice in terms of the following: (0- Very Poor; 1- Poor; 2- Average: 3- Good: 4- Very good; 5- Excellent)
a. Informing the community about Parish/Town Council activity and decisions b. Consulting with the community about needs and issues c. Involving the community in prioritising and decision making
3. What have you done that worked well? 4. What would you like to do differently/better? 5. If elements are not working well- what are the barriers?
Ideally, how would your parish/ Town Council like to involve the community in:
a. Informing the community about Parish/Town Council activity and decisions b. Consulting with the community about needs and issues c. Involving the community in prioritising and decision making
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Help sheet 2: Sample Facilities audit and questions
FACILITIES AUDIT 1: COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES Facilities can include church hall, recreation ground, village green, scout hut. Community-run services can include elderly person’s help/taxis, youth events (if no meeting place), footpath maintenance group. As suggested, adapt the form as needed!
Form reference: Facility/service: Form completed by: Manager/user met: Date: For Buildings: Short description: Age: Size: Condition: Number of rooms: Toilets: Kitchen facilities: Heating Car parking: Access via public transport: Outside spaces/garden etc.: Any other land: Who runs/manages it:
For Open Space: Short description: Size: Condition: Toilets: Car parking: Access via public transport: Link to any building:
For Buildings, Land and Services: Activities: How frequently used: Who uses, local or further afield: Who runs each activity: Numbers involved:
Capacity and Future: Overused or underused at present: Likely future demand/need if population changes/grows:
Photos taken: Yes/No 2: STATE-RUN FACILITIES AND SERVICES Facilities can include school (various), health provision (centres, surgeries), sports centre, library, police station. Services can include buses and mobile library.
Form reference:
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Facility/service: Form completed by: Manager/user met: Date: For Buildings: Short description: Age: Size: Condition: Car parking: Access via public transport: Outside spaces/garden etc.: Any other land: Who runs/manages it:
For Buildings and Services: Activities or services provided: Who uses, local or further afield: Numbers involved:
Capacity and Future: Overused or underused at present: Likely future demand/need if population changes/grows:
Photos taken: Yes/No
3: PRIVATE FACILITIES Facilities can include shops (including farm shops), pubs, clubs, sports centres, playing fields, health clubs. As suggested, adapt the form as needed!
Form reference: Facility/service: Form completed by: Manager/user met: Date: For Buildings: Short description: Age: Size: Condition: Number of rooms: Toilets: Kitchen facilities: Heating Car parking: Access via public transport: Outside spaces/garden etc.: Any other land: Who runs/manages it:
For Playing Fields etc.: Short description:
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Size: Condition: Toilets: Car parking: Access via public transport: Link to any building:
For Buildings, Land and Services: Activities: How frequently used: Who uses, local or further afield: Open to all: Who runs each activity: Numbers involved: Typical costs:
Capacity and Future: Overused or underused at present: Likely future demand/need if population changes/grows:
Photos taken: Yes/No
4: FACILITIES AND SERVICES NEARBY This is less detailed (at this stage) and simply requires some open text notes on what is available and how far
they are from the facilities within the town/parish.
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Help sheet 3: Facilities Audit Sample questions
A) Community Meeting places
Below are a number of questions which may be relevant for a community buildings survey.
Community Buildings Survey – questions
1. Does your organisation run a community building or other potential meeting venue?
2. Please provide the name and address of your building.
3. Do you own the freehold of your building or do you lease it?
Options:
Freehold Leasehold Other (please state)
If leasehold, who owns
a) the land? b) the building?
4. What is your organisation?
Options:
Parish/Town Council Registered Charity Community Association
District/Borough Council Not for Profit Organisation Church Council
County Council Constituted Group Other (please state)
5. How many people are on your Management Committee?
6. Please give the details of each Activity room* at your building (i.e. any room in which
activities or meetings can potentially take place).
Description of room, e.g. main room, meeting room, etc.
Seated capacity
Size in metres (length x width)
Which floor is it on? (ground, first, second, etc.)
Disabled access? (yes/no)
7. Please tick the facilities available at your building.
Kitchen facilities Toilets Baby changing
facilities
Changing room Storage areas Lift
Disabled access Heating Parking area
Other facilities, please specify
8. Please rate the overall condition of your building.
Very good Good
Poor Very poor
9. Please suggest any improvements needed for your building.
10. If you have any plans for expansion/changes to your building, please outline them below.
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11. Are there any restrictions on using your building? If yes, please state.
12. Are any of your rooms dedicated for a specific purpose? If yes, please give details.
13. Can the public hire your building?
14. How much does it cost to hire your building?
15. Which age groups regularly take part in activities at your building?
0 to 5 6 to 11 14 to 18
19 to 40 41 to 65 Over 65
16. Please list the activities that take place at your building.
17. Please complete the following to show, on average, the potential availability and the actual
usage of your building.
Weekdays – Daytime Potential hours available Hours in use
Weekdays – Evening Potential hours available Hours in use
Weekends Potential hours available Hours in use
18. Please comment on the usage of your building, e.g. whether it is fully utilised or under-
utilised, and the reasons for this.
19. Please describe any seasonal variations in usage
20. Please suggest any future needs for community facilities in **.
21. Please use this space to make other comments about your building.
In order to gain the perspective of user groups of community spaces/ meeting places the following
questions could be used:
1. What organisation or club do you represent?
2. How many members/attendees do you have?
3. In which location(s) do you hold your activities?
4. Do any of your members travel from outside ** to attend your activities? Yes / No
(delete as applicable)
a. If yes, how far do you have to travel?
5. Do the facilities available to you in ** meet the needs of your organisation or club in terms
of;
a. Availability Yes / No / No opinion (delete as applicable)
b. Size Yes / No / No opinion (delete as applicable)
c. Location Yes / No / No opinion (delete as applicable)
d. Other Yes / No / No opinion (delete as applicable)
(please describe):
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6. Please suggest any future needs for community facilities in **
7. Please make any additional comments regarding meeting places in ***
B. Sample Questions for health services- GP surgery
1. How many patients are registered at the practice?
2. Do you have capacity to take on additional patients? Yes / No
a. If yes, how many more?
3. What services do you currently provide?
4. Do you have capacity to be able to expand the services you currently provide? Yes / No
a. If yes, in what way? E.g. extra services, later/weekend surgery opening etc.
5. What are your aspirations for future service provision in **?
6. What problems/issues do you currently face delivering services in Fairford?
7. At what point of increase in households in ** would you need additional services/facilities
to meet demand?
a. 10% increase
b. 20% increase
c. 30% increase
d. 40 % increase
(delete as applicable)
8. What additional facilities/services would be needed to meet this demand?
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HELPSHEET 4: CHECKLIST & CRITERIA FOR LOCAL GREEN SPACE DESIGNATION
1 General Information
Tick if relevant evidence provided
1.1 Name and address of site Some sites have several names and all known names should be given
1.2 Site location plan The plan can be at any scale, but must show the location and boundaries of the site. Please indicate the scale.
Insert here or attach separately
1.3 Organisation or individual proposing site for designation This will normally be a Town or Parish Council or a recognised community group
1.4 Ownership of site if known Information on land ownership can be obtained from the Land Registry. Some land parcels are not registered however local people may know the owner.
1.5 Is the owner of the site aware of the potential designation? Do they support the designation? (Sites may be designated as Local Green Spaces, even if there are objections from the site owners)
1.6 Photographs of site
Insert here or attach separately
1.7 Community served by the potential Local Green Space i.e. does the site serve the whole village/town or a particular geographic area or group of people?
2 Planning History
2.1 Is there currently a planning application for this site? If permitted/allocated, could part of the overall site still be used as a Green Open Space? Further Information – Cotswold District Council – planning applications
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2.2 Is the site allocated for development in the Local or Neighbourhood Plan? If allocated, could part of the overall site still be used as a Green Open Space? Further Information – Cotswold District Council – planning policy.
3 Size, scale and “local nature” of proposed Local Green Space
3.1 Area of proposed site It is unlikely that a site of over 20ha (50 acres) would be considered suitable for designation.
3.2 Is the site an “extensive tract of land”? (Extensive tracts of land cannot be designated as Local Green Space) E.g. how large is it in comparison to other fields; groups of fields; areas of land in the vicinity etc.? Does the site “feel” extensive or more local in scale?
3.3 Is the proposed site “local in character”? E.g. does the site feel as though it is part of the local area? And why? How does it connect physically, visually and socially to the local area? What is your evidence?
4 Need for Local Green Space
4.1 Is there a need for a local green space in this location? E.g. is there a shortage of accessible greenspace in the area? Is there a village needs survey or parish plan that provides evidence of that need. Further information – Natural England (Accessible Natural Greenspace Standard) Cotswold District Council - Open Spaces, Sport and Recreation Study
5 Evidence to show that “the green space is in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves” Please indicate what evidence you have provided against each point.
5.1 How far is the site from the community it serves? Is the site within 2km of the local community? Possible evidence – a map to show that distance
5.2 Are there any barriers to the local community accessing the site from their homes? e.g. railway line; main road Possible evidence – a map to show any potential barriers and how those can be overcome.
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6 Evidence to show that the green area is “demonstrably special to a local community” Please indicate what evidence you have provided against each point.
6.1 Evidence of support from Parish or Town Council e.g. letter of support; Council minutes
6.2 Evidence of support from other local community groups or individuals. e.g. letters of support; petitions; surveys etc.
6.3 Evidence of support from community leaders E.g. letters of support from Ward Members; County Councillors; MP etc. Further information on contact details - Cotswold District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, House of Commons
6.4 Evidence of support from other groups e.g. letters of support from organisations such as Campaign to Protect Rural England; Cotswolds Conservation Board; Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust; Gloucestershire Rural Community Council; Cotswold Water Park Trust; local amenity societies; local schools etc.
7 Evidence to show that the green area “holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty,” (if applicable) Please indicate what evidence you have provided against each point.
7.1 Is this criteria relevant to this site?
YES / NO
7.2 Describe why the community feels that the site has a particular local significance for its beauty.
7.3 Site visibility E.g. is it easy to see the site from a public place? Are there long-distance views of the site? Are there views of the site from any key locations?
7.4 Is the site covered by any landscape or similar designations? e.g. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; Conservation Area; Special Landscape Area Further information – Cotswold District Council; Natural England; Cotswolds Conservation Board
7.5 Is the site (or the type of site) specifically mentioned in any relevant landscape character assessments or similar documents?
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E.g. Cotswolds AONB landscape character assessment. Further information – Cotswold District Council; Natural England; Cotswolds Conservation Board
7.6 Does the site contribute to the setting of a historic building or other special feature?
7.7 Is the site highlighted in literature or art? E.g. is the site mentioned in a well-known poem or shown in a famous painting?
8 Evidence to show that the green area “holds a particular local significance for example because of its historic significance” (if applicable) Please indicate what evidence you have provided against each point.
8.1 Is this criteria relevant to this site?
YES / NO
8.2 Are there any historic buildings or remains on the site? E.g. listed buildings; scheduled ancient monuments; registered parks and gardens; war memorials; other historic remains or structures. Further information – Cotswold District Council; English Heritage; Gloucestershire Historic Environment Record; Gloucestershire Archives; local history society;
8.3 Are there any important historic landscape features on the site? e.g. old hedgerows; ancient trees; historic ponds or historic garden features Further information – Cotswold District Council; English Heritage; Gloucestershire Historic Environment Record; local history society
8.4 Did the site play an important role in the historic development of the village or town? e.g. the old site of the town railway station; the old garden for the manor house etc.
8.5 Did any important historic events take place on the site?
8.6 Do any historic rituals take place on the site? e.g. well-dressing; maypole dancing etc.
9 Evidence to show that the green area “holds a particular local
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significance, for example because of its recreational value (including as a playing field)”, (if applicable) Please indicate what evidence you have provided against each point.
9.1 Is this criteria relevant to this site?
YES / NO
9.2 Is the site used for playing sport? If so what sport? How long has it been used for sports provision? Is this sports provision free or is a club membership required? Further information – Sport England
9.3 Are the public able to physically access the site? E.g. are there any public rights of way across the site? Or adjacent to the site? Has access been allowed on a discretionary basis? Is there public access to the whole site or only part? Is there good disabled access to the site? (A site can still be designated even if there is no public access.) Further information – Gloucestershire County Council
9.4 Is the site used by the local community for informal recreation? And since when? e.g. dog walking; sledging; ball games etc
10 Evidence to show that the green area “holds a particular local significance, for example because of its tranquillity” (if applicable) Please indicate what evidence you have provided against each point.
10.1 Is this criteria relevant to this site?
YES / NO
10.2 Do you consider the site to be tranquil? E.g. are there are any roads or busy areas close by?
10.3 Is the site within a recognised tranquil area? e.g. within the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s tranquillity maps
11 Evidence to show that the green area “holds a particular local significance, for example because of the richness of its wildlife”; (if applicable) Please indicate what evidence you have provided against each point.
11.1 Is this criteria relevant to this site?
YES / NO
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11.2 Is the site formally designated for its wildlife value? e.g. as a site of special scientific interest; a key wildlife site etc Further information - Natural England; Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records
11.3 Are any important habitats or species found on the site? E.g. habitats and species listed in the UK priority habitats and species lists or in the Cotswold Water Park or Gloucestershire Biodiversity Action Plans or protected species or on the red/amber lists of birds of conservation concern. Further information - Natural England; Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records; National Biodiversity Network; Cotswold Water Park Trust; RSPB
11.4 What other wildlife of interest has been found on the site? Further information - Natural England; Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records; National Biodiversity Network; Cotswold Water Park Trust
11.5 Is the site part of a long term study of wildlife by members of the local community? E.g. long-term monitoring of breeding birds.
12 Evidence to show that the green area “holds a particular local significance, for any other reason”; (if applicable) Please indicate what evidence you have provided against each point.
12.1 Is this criteria relevant to this site?
YES / NO
12.2 Are there any other reasons why the site has a particular local significance for the local community?
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HELPSHEET 5: SITE ASSESSMENT FORMS A TO D PLUS WORKED EXAMPLE
FORM A: BASELINE INFORMATION
Basic SHLAA Information
The content of this first chart will be provided by CDC; information to be taken as given.
Settlement Name
Site Reference
Site Name / Address
Gross area (Hectares)
SHLAA Capacity Assessment
Current/recent uses
Availability
Site Planning History
Designations and Known Constraints
You will need to check if any of the following apply. If so, add a ‘Yes’ in the box to the right. You may also wish to add comments in the boxes to the right, eg. If part of a site not in a flood zone is known by you to flood regularly.
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) / Special Landscape Area (SLA)
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) / Key Wildlife Site (KWS) / Local Nature Reserve (LNR) / Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Conservation Area
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Listed Buildings
Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) / Historic Battleground / Regionally Important Geological Site
Public Rights of Way
Flood Risk
Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) / Ancient Woodland
Gas Pipeline with Buffer / Explosive Safeguarding Buffer / Pylons / Other Services or Wires or Cables (if known)
Filled Quarry or Landfill / Water Treatment Facilities Buffer Zone / Mining / Other contamination
Registered Parks & Gardens / National Trust Asset
Agricultural Best & Most Versatile Land Quality
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Other Known / Recorded Constraints
Comments
FORM B: ASSESSING SITE CONNECTIONS AND ACCESS
Site: ……………………….. Surveyors(s): ………………………………………………… Date: …………………
Look through all the questions before starting.
Leave any questions that do not seem to apply.
Take a form, clipboard, map, camera and a pen or two with you when you go out.
Take any photos you think are useful (often more useful than some words) and add any photo names/numbers in the right hand boxes once you get back to ‘base’.
1. WALKING TO LOCAL FACILITIES
Facility
Distance (metres)
Route
Quality
Observations and comments on safety and quality of route
Site Visit Notes/Record of Photos
Shop Good
Fair
Poor
School Good
Fair
Poor
Open Space
Good
Fair
Poor
(This is about publicly accessible spaces)
Bus Stop
Good
Fair
Poor
Places of employment
Good
Fair
Poor
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Any other facility
Good
Fair
Poor
Other facility name:
2. SITE ACCESS (ES)
General quality of access Tick one
Good:
Easy access into the site and good roads approaching it.
Fair:
Poor access into the site but good approach roads, or poor access into the site and good approach roads.
Poor:
Poor access onto the site and poor roads approaching it.
Number of Accesses. Type: comment on vehicle/pedestrian/cyclist access
Observations / Comments / Site Visit Notes / Record of Photos
Key Issues and Possible Mitigation (if Fair or Poor)
3. CONNECTIONS SUMMARY: Overall, how well connected is the site?
Note key points in the site's favour in terms of connections.
Note the key points in terms of connections that would have to be addressed (mitigation) to make it a suitable site:
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FORM C: ASSESSING THE SITE ENVIRONMENT
Site: ……………………….. Surveyors(s): ………………………………………………… Date: …………………
Look through all the questions before starting.
For almost all the questions on Site Characteristics just ring a word (or two) in each box that best fits what you know/see and, as necessary, add some notes about quality, condition etc. in the space below.
The final Summary questions include their own instructions.
Leave any questions that do not seem to apply.
Take a form, clipboard, map, camera and a pen or two with you when you go out.
Take any photos you think are useful (often more useful than some words) and add any photo names/numbers in the right hand boxes once you get back to ‘base’.
1. SITE CHARACTERISTICS
Landform: Flat Gently Undulating Strongly Undulating Steep Valley Valley Floor Plateau
Observations/Notes/Record of Photos
Views In: Wide Channelled Long Short Glimpsed
Quality and Value of View/Record of Photos
Views Out: Wide Channelled Long Short Glimpsed
Quality and Value of View/Record of Photos
Natural Features on and Around the Site (Age/Condition/Value):
Boundary Hedgerow Trees Freestanding Shrubs Grass
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Numbers, Quality and Value
Observations/Notes/Record of Photos
Ecology: (Known/Observed):
Birds Signs of Mammals Wildlife Corridors Water Habitat
Comments/Notes, Quality and Value
Observations/Notes/Record of Photos
Built Form On and Around the Site:
Walls On-site freestanding buildings/structures
Neighbouring buildings/structures in view Neighbouring use Potential Conflicts
Flooding:
Additional local information (locations, severity, frequency, known causes etc.) beyond the formal
information in the Baseline Information
Observations/Notes/Any Photos
Drainage/Sewage:
Local information on capacities, problems etc.
Observations/Notes/Any Photos
Comments/Notes, Observations/Notes/Record of Photos
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2. ENVIRONMENT SUMMARY
Environment Quality and Value: Does the recorded information above
suggest that the site is of high quality and value, or is it medium or low?
Tick one
High
Medium
Low
Note key points in the site's favour in terms of environment.
Note the key points in terms of environment that would have to be addressed (mitigation) to make it a
suitable site.
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FORM D: OVERALL ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
Site name/number:
Tick one
The site is suitable for allocation
The site is well located and has lower environmental sensitivity* to change.
(* See the guidance overleaf for an explanation of ‘sensitivity to change’.)
This is a potential allocation subject to on- or off-site mitigation
The site is either well located but with higher environmental sensitivity to change or poorly located but with lower environmental sensitivity to change.
The site is unsuitable for allocation
The site is poorly connected and has higher environmental sensitivity to change.
What are the key reasons behind your final judgement?
If the site was judged to be potentially suitable, what type of development might be possible or appropriate – housing, employment, facilities etc.?
If the site was judged to be potentially suitable, what mitigation might be needed to make it properly suitable?
If the site was judged to be suitable or potentially suitable, what principles or conditions might be applied (eg. heights, screening, materials etc.)?
(Add comments on the site plan if this helps, eg. to show a key view.)
Signed ……………………………………………………………….. Date ............................
Telephone ……………………… Email …………………………………………………………
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HELPSHEET 6: SITE ASSESSMENTS -WORKED EXAMPLES
WORKED EXAMPLE
FORM A: BASELINE INFORMATION
9. Settle
ment
Name
10. High Chew Combe
11. Site
Referenc
e
12. HC1
13. Site
Name
/
Addre
ss
14. Barrett’s Paddock. Barrett’s Lane, High Chew Combe
15.
16. Gross area (Hectares)
17.
18. 0.4
19.
20. SHLAA Capacity Assessment
21.
22. About 10 houses
23.
24. Current/recent uses
25.
26. Agriculture, pasture, grazing (horses)
27.
28. Availability
29.
30. Confirmed
31.
32. Site Planning History
33.
34. 11/00451/OUT.
35. Outline Application for 12 houses and means of
access onto Barrett’s Lane
36. REFUSED.
37.
Designations and Known Constraints
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You will need to check if any of the following apply. If so, add a ‘Yes’ in the box to the right. You may also wish to add comments in the boxes to the right, eg. If part of a site not in a flood zone is known by you to flood regularly.
38.
39. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB) / Special Landscape Area (SLA)
40.
41.
42. Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
/ Key Wildlife Site (KWS) / Local
Nature Reserve (LNR) / Special Area of
Conservation (SAC)
43.
44.
45.
46.
47. Conservation Area
48.
49. Yes: CA 50 metres from site boundary
50.
51.
52. Listed Buildings
53. Yes: Hammer House List Grade 2 to West of Site
54.
55.
56. Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) /
Historic Battleground / Regionally
Important Geological Site
57.
58.
59.
60. Public Rights of Way
61. Yes: Public Right of Way runs across west side
of site from main access to stile crossing
62.
63.
64. Flood Risk
65.
66. Yes: Zone 3
67. Annual Winter flooding on Barrett’s Lane
68.
69.
70. Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) /
Ancient Woodland
71.
72. 75.
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73. Gas Pipeline with Buffer / Explosive
Safeguarding Buffer / Pylons / Other
Services or Wires or Cables (if known)
74.
76.
77. Filled Quarry or Landfill / Water
Treatment Facilities Buffer Zone /
Mining / Other contamination
78.
79.
80. Registered Parks & Gardens / National
Trust Asset
81.
82.
83. Agricultural Best & Most Versatile
Land Quality
84.
85.
86. Other Known / Recorded Constraints
87. Comments
88.
89. Some archaeological evidence
90.
91.
92.
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FORM B: ASSESSING SITE CONNECTIONS AND ACCESS
1. WALKING TO LOCAL FACILITIES
93. F
ac
ili
ty
94.
95. Dis
tan
ce
(m
etr
es)
96. R
o
u
t
e
97. Q
u
a
li
t
y
98. Observations and Comments on Safety & Quality of Route
99. Site Visit Notes/Record of Photos
100. S
h
o
p
101. 102. G
o
o
d
103. F
a
i
r
104. P
o
o
r
105. About 600 yards.
106. Pavement and no difficult crossings.
107. CARS PARKED ON PAVEMENTS IN BARRATTS LANE
108. S
c
h
o
ol
109.
110.
111.
112.
113. G
o
o
d
114. F
a
i
r
115. P
o
o
r
116.
117.
118. About 10 minute walk. Pavement on Barrett’s Lane.
119. No crossing at Junction Road into School Lane.
120.
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121. O
p
e
n
S
p
ac
e
(p
u
bl
ic
or
pr
iv
at
e)
122. 123. G
o
o
d
124. F
a
i
r
125. P
o
o
r
126.
127. Access to farm fields and path through stile in SW
corner of site.
128. Sports Pitches about 800 yards across A451.
129. B
u
s
St
o
p
130.
131. 132. G
o
o
d
133. F
a
i
r
134. P
o
o
r
135. About 500 yards for Bristol Bus on A451. Hourly service
136. DIFFICULT TO CROSS ROAD
137. NO SHELTER!
138. A
n
y
O
th
er
139. F
ac
ili
ty
?
140.
141.
142.
143. G
o
o
d
144. F
a
i
r
145. P
o
o
r
146. Pub:
147. About 500 yards. No difficult crossing. Post office
service in pub.
148.
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2. SITE ACCESS
149. General quality of access 150. T
ick
one
151. Good:
152. Easy access into the site and good roads approaching it.
153.
154. Fair:
155. Poor access into the site but good approach roads, or poor access into the
site and good approach roads.
156.
157. Poor:
158. Poor access onto the site and poor roads approaching it.
159.
160. Observations / Comments / Site Visit Notes / Record of Photos
161. Key Issues and Possible Mitigation (if Fair or Poor)
162.
163. Single Direct access onto Barrett’s Lane. (Farm Gate) NARROW WITH
POOR VISIBILITY DOWN LANE. HEDGE BLOCKS VIEW, NEEDS WIDENING AND
REALIGNING BUT NED TO RESTORE HEDGE
164. FOOTPATH STILE TO FIELD BROKEN.
165.
166. PHOTO 1 SITE ACCESS FROM BARRATTS LANEACCESS.
167.
3. CONNECTIONS SUMMARY: Overall, how well connected is the site?
168. Note key points in the site's favour in terms of connections.
169.
170. GOOD walking distance and fair route safety to shops and school.
171. Car parking on pavements needs addressing
172. POOR pedestrian connection to sports ground.
173. FAIR direct access onto lane Need for improved visibility
174.
175. Note the key points in terms of connections that would have to be addressed
(mitigation) to make it a suitable site:
176.
177. Widen site access and improve access visibility. Reinstate lost hedge.
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178.
179. Stop car parking on pavements and blocking access.
180.
181.
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FORM C: ASSESSING THE SITE ENVIRONMENT
SITE CHARACTERISTICS
182. Landform:
183. Flat Gently Undulating Strongly Undulating Steep Valley Valley Floor
Plateau
184.
185. Observations/Notes/Record of Photos
186. Flat but Ridges within site
187. EARTH SPOIL MOUNDING IN NW CORNER
188.
189. Views In
190. Wide Channelled Long Short Glimpsed
191.
192. Quality and Value of View / Record of Photos
193.
194. Site is enclosed inside hedges that form boundary to Barratts Lane
195. GLIMPSED VIEWS IN FROM BARRATTS LANE AT SITE ENTRANCE
196. ENTRANCE VERY NARROW
197.
198. Views Out
199. Wide Channelled Long Short Glimpsed
200.
201. Quality and Value of View
202. /Record of Photos
203. Site is mostly enclosed within hedges Long views over site boundary to Shooters Hill
204. TOP STOREYS OF HAMMER HOUSE ONLY
205. VIEW OF SHOOTERS HILL FROM SOUTH SIDE OF SITE
206. PHOTO 2 TO SHOOTERS HILL.
207.
208. Natural Features on and Around the Site: (Age/Condition/Value):
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209. Boundary Hedgerow Trees Freestanding Shrubs Grass
210.
211. Numbers, Quality and Value
212. Observations/Notes/Record of Photos
213. Hedgerow on rural boundary and Barratts Lane frontage.
214. Rolling pasture.
215. HEDGE IN POORER CONDITION TO RURAL BOUNDARY. IN NEED OF RESTORATION.
216. PHOTO 3 HEDGEROW.
217.
218. Ecology: (Known/Observed)
219.
220. Birds Signs of Mammals Wildlife Corridors Water Habitat
221.
222. Comments/Notes, Quality and Value
223. Observations/Notes/Record of Photos
224.
225. Boundary hedgerow connect to neighbouring boundaries and to open countryside.
226.
227. Built Form On and Around the Site:
228.
229. Walls On-site Freestanding Buildings & Structures
230.
231. Neighbouring Buildings & Structures in View Neighbouring Use Potential
Conflicts
232.
233. Comments/Notes, Observations/Notes/Record of Photos
234.
235. Hammer House overlooking (See Above)
236.
3. ENVIRONMENT SUMMARY How Sensitive is the Environment?
237. Environment Quality and Value: Does the recorded 238.
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information above suggest that the site is of high quality and value,
or is it medium or low?
239.
240. Tick one
241. High 242.
243. Medium 244.
245. Low 246.
247. Note key points in the site's favour in terms of environment.
248. Hedgerow Enclosure and Wildlife
249. Long Views from Shooters Hill
250. Relationship with listed Hammer House
251. Note the key points in terms of environment that would have to be addressed
(mitigation) to make it a suitable site.
252.
253. Retain Public Right of Way
254. Reinstate/improve hedgerow with access works
255. Valuable grazing land.
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FORM D: OVERALL ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
256. Site name/number: Barratts Paddock, High Chew Combe 257. T
ick
258. The site is suitable for allocation
259. The site is well located and has lower environmental sensitivity
260.
261.
262. This is a potential allocation subject to on- or off-site mitigation
263. The site is either well located but with higher environmental sensitivity or
poorly located but with lower environmental sensitivity
264.
265. The site is unsuitable for allocation
266. The site is poorly connected and has higher environmental sensitivity
267.
268. What are the key reasons behind your final judgement?
269. Access to shops, primary school and bus stop.
270. Access straight onto Barratts Lane but visibility poor.
271. Boundary hedges very important - No major views in or out,
272. Site has no buildings or important trees. but NB Hammer House.
273.
274. If the site was judged to be potentially suitable, what type of
development might be possible or appropriate – housing, employment, facilities
etc.?
275.
276. Housing only. Within residential lane.
277. Potential need for sports facilities on site.
278. NB Overlooking / neighbour issues.
279.
280. If the site was judged to be potentially suitable, what mitigation might be
needed to make it properly suitable?
281.
282. Hedges need to be kept.
283. If access widened, new hedges need to be planted.
284. Good design in context of Hammer House.
285.
286. If the site was judged to be suitable or potentially suitable, what
principles or conditions might be applied (eg. heights, screening, materials etc.)?
287. (Add comments on the site plan if this helps, eg. to show a key view.)
294.
295.
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288.
289. Screen buildings behind hedges.
290. No more than two storey houses.
291. Tiled roofs to match village.
292. White render and stone walls.
293.
Date ...18/11/2013..........
Telephone 01761 765432 Email …townclerk@hccparish.co.uk…………………
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