Agenda item

To share with the select committee the draft Wiltshire Design Guide (WDG) before it is progressed to statutory public consultation with the intention that it will be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The WDG has been produced to support the delivery of consistently high-quality design standards in new developments.

Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Finance, Development Management and Strategic Planning, presented the report on the Wiltshire Design Guide Draft alongside Lynn Trigwell, Head of Natural & Historical Environment, and Sarah Valdus, Director – Environment.

It was explained that the draft Wiltshire Design Guide (WDG) was being shared with the Committee ahead of statutory public consultation with the intention of being adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The WDG was organised by the 10 characteristics of design as set out in National Guidance and was produced, as advised in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), to support the delivery of consistently high-quality design standards in new developments and to set down clear expectations for development managers to refer to when at the very early stages of planning future developments. However, it was emphasised that specific aspects would vary per community and as such, Neighbourhood Plans would allow for more prescriptive designs. A second document was also noted as being produced to support the Neighbourhood Plan process in considering good design at the outset. The WDG was explained as being a cross-cutting document, developed in collaboration with multiple departments across the Council and in alignment with the objectives in the Business Plan, other key existing or new strategies such as the Climate and Core Strategies, and any other existing or new SPDs such as waste and storage.

It was noted that if a developer made the decision to stray from the WDG, they would need to provide clear explanations as to why, and if adopted as an SPD, it would carry weight in the planning process. The proposed timescale was then detailed, and Members were informed that it would be brought to the May 2023 Cabinet meeting before the four-week consultation period opened in Summer 2023. Once the comments received were considered and evaluated, and necessary amendments made, it would be brought to the October 2023 meetings of Cabinet and Full Council.

During the discussion, points included:

·       Consulting with Planning Committee Chairs, Parish and Town Councils, and developers for comment.

·       Officers also highlighted that the proposed timescales were dependant on the level and number of alterations gleaned from the comments gathered through the consultation.

·       How the WDG would work with the Local Plan, and frustrations with continued delays to its finalisation. Cllr Botterill explained that due to continual changes impacting on its delivery, it was not feasible to put out the plan in line with previously stated timescales and instead officers had taken the time to increase its robustness, with the new intention of a draft published for Summer 2023.

·       How the WDG would include links with renewable energy concerns, and meeting specifications included in the Equality Act 2010. Officers then emphasised that the WDG was concerned with built environments in alignment with the 10 design characteristics and as such, does not go into specific details on topics such as wind/solar farms, the inclusion of charging ports, or storage facilities, and Members should instead include these aspects within Neighbourhood Plans.

·       The importance of transport linkages across developments such as cycling connections and the potential to enforce developers to include such networks to aid in the establishment of the LCWHIPs. Officers further emphasised that developers would be required to ensure that provisions were put in place to link with existing or emerging routes. However, if there were no routes planned then such enforcement could not be undertaken as it could run the risk of developers designing their own routes which would then go against the purpose of the WDG.

·       Further concerns were raised as to the potential conflicts that could arise when planning routes that crossed through land owned by multiple people.

·       Suggestion of installing utilities such as water pipes to the side of roads to minimise road closures and traffic congestions.

·       If the WDG was adopted as an SPD, it would fit into the existing Wiltshire Council hierarchies and would carry considerable weight in planning matters.

·       The ability for Wiltshire Council to regain some of the control lost as a result of the lack of a five-year land supply and putting the Council in a stronger, more defensible position.

·       Members commended officers and Cabinet Members on their hard work in developing the WDG and welcomed its introduction wholeheartedly and noted that it was a shame that it hadn’t been drafted years ago, as it would have mitigated many of the issues being faced now. However, some Members expressed hesitance as to how it would work in reality, and how it would be received by developers.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Cllr Tony Jackson proposed to move the recommendations which was seconded by Cllr Dr Nick Murry. After which, it was:

Resolved:

a)    The Committee endorsed the draft Wiltshire Design Guide ahead of public consultation in early summer and:

b)    The Committee noted the timeline for public consultation and the process by which the comments will be considered ahead of the Design Guide being formally adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document.

c)    The Committee requested that the Design Guide is also sent to the council’s Planning Committees and parish and town councils for comment as part of the consultation process.