First detailed Design Guide created for South Down National Park

First detailed Design Guide created for South Down National Park

August 8, 2022

An exhaustive guide on design excellence in the National Park has been produced for developers, landowners and agents.

Following two years in the making, the Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted by Planning Committee last month.

The document’s creation benefitted from the involvement of Members and community groups and was subject to two rounds of public consultation.

The Design Guide provides guidance on a range of design issues for new development in the National Park. The need to respect the first purpose of the National Park – namely to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area – strongly informs the guidance.

The design quality of new proposals will now be assessed by the Authority against this document as well as Local Plan policies.

The design of any new development in the National Park will be expected to demonstrate that it’s responding to existing local character and identity.

Heather Baker, Chair of Planning Committee, said: “Part of what makes the National Park such a special place is the variety of significant landscapes, from the western downs on the edge of Winchester to the iconic coast at the Seven Sisters and everything in between, including historic villages and market towns. This document stresses that new development must respect and build on the National Park’s diverse, distinctive landscapes and townscapes; celebrate the unique sense of place found in them.

“Development proposals considered to be mediocre or poor will not be acceptable. New development should be an opportunity to enhance the beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the South Downs National Park for future generations as well as to achieve great place making.”

Applicants will be expected to use the adopted Sustainable Construction SPD in parallel with the Design Guide.

And Heather added: “It sets out a clear process and what our expectations are. Much of the guidance remains relevant even where small scale development does not need planning permission, as the cumulative impacts of small changes can become significant over time.”

Read the document here.