cotswold district community toolkit toolkit will be reviewed and refinements made to reflect...

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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

http://www.grcc.org.uk/


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)



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

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).


http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/about-the-council/information-data/guide-to-the-council/cotswold-factfile/

http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan/


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



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.



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.


http://resources.cohesioninstitute.org.uk/Publications/Documents/Document/DownloadDocumentsFile.aspx?recordId=157&file=PDFversion

http://www.nalc.gov.uk/our-work/improvement-and-development/local-council-award-scheme


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?)


http://mycommunity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Listening-to-your-community-v2-150922.pdf

http://mycommunity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Listening-to-your-community-v2-150922.pdf

http://mycommunity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Neighbourhood-planning-community-consultation-final.pdf

http://mycommunity.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Neighbourhood-planning-community-consultation-final.pdf

http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadHome.do?m=0&s=1374897040585&enc=1&a=3&i&nsjs=true&nsck=false&nssvg=false&nswid=1600

http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/inform/

http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/

http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan/

http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan/evidence-base-and-monitoring/

http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan/evidence-base-and-monitoring/


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



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



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



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



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.


http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/media/1401263/Cotswold-IDP-Final-Issue-April-2016.pdf


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?



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.


http://www.grcc.org.uk/organisation-and-project-support/organisation-and-project-support


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.



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.



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 -


http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm80/8082/8082.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2


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


http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/open-space-green-space-and-rights-of-way-2/local-green-space-designation/


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.



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?



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



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.


Town and village greens: how to register

Open Spaces Society


http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/40004?category=47004

https://www.gov.uk/right-of-way-open-access-land/open-access-land

http://www.staffnet.cotswold.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=3023



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.


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”



http://www.gov.uk/

http://mycommunityrights.org.uk/community-right-to-bid/

http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/business/land-property/community-right-to-bid/


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)


National Planning Policy Framework.


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


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


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









http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/lnr/




http://consult.cotswold.gov.uk/portal/fp/open_spaces/open_spaces_sport_and_recreation_study?tab=files

http://consult.cotswold.gov.uk/portal/fp/open_spaces/open_spaces_sport_and_recreation_study?tab=files





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


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


http://www.green-space.org.uk/index.php


http://www.cpre.org.uk/






http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional/protection/process/national-heritage-list-for-england/







https://www.gov.uk/town-and-village-greens-how-to-register


Back

Open Spaces Society

http://www.oss.org.uk/what-we-do/village-greens/

My Community Rights


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



http://www.oss.org.uk/what-we-do/village-greens/


http://www.gov.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/giving-people-more-power-over-what-happens-in-their-neighbourhood/supporting-pages/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

http://www.gov.uk/



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



http://www.grcc.org.uk/community-led-planning/community-led-planning


http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/cotswold-design-guidance/cotswold-design-code/


http://mycommunity.org.uk/programme/neighbourhood-planning/

http://mycommunity.org.uk/resources/neighbourhood-planning-roadmap/



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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



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:



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:


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:



Back

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:


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.



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.



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?



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





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.





http://consult.cotswold.gov.uk/portal/fp/open_spaces/open_spaces_sport_and_recreation_study


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?












http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/landscape/




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.


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


http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/landscape/




http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/historic-buildings-conservation-areas/




http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/historic-buildings-conservation-areas/




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.


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.


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.


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.


YES / NO

12.2 Are there any other reasons why the site has a particular local significance for the local community?











http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/BoCC_tcm9-217852.pdf








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



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



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



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:




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



Numbers, Quality and Value


Ecology: (Known/Observed):

Birds Signs of Mammals Wildlife Corridors Water Habitat

Comments/Notes, Quality and Value


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



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.




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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



178.

179. Stop car parking on pavements and blocking access.

180.

181.




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):



209. Boundary Hedgerow Trees Freestanding Shrubs Grass

210.

211. Numbers, Quality and Value


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


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.




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 …[email protected]…………………
