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Rules of Thumb | Key Indicator / Prompt |
- Development must sustain communities, not undermine them.
| Talk to local people - what other facilities and services exist in the area?
Complement them, do not duplicate resources.
Look at the trends for the area, development should support a living countryside, a working countryside, a protected countryside and a vibrant countryside.
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- Development must stress quality of design; Village Design Statements are a key tool to defining local character.
| What contributes to the area's character and distinctiveness?
Carry out a design study that looks at local architecture, building height, mass, landscaping, site boundaries, set back distance, materials - design the site to reflect these.
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- Recognise the special employment and transport needs of the countryside, especially it's long established communities.
| Is the chosen employment site or building close to a public transport link or local housing to decrease the number of people needing to travel by car to work?
Talk to the local authority about existing cycle and walking routes and observe how local people use them.
Ensure new routes link into existing networks.
Ensure new housing includes affordable provision to meet local needs.
Local employment opportunities should be located in close proximity to the workforce.
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- Use recreational developments to create new rural opportunities.
| Encourage recreational provision in accessible locations to reduce the need to travel by car.
Create opportunities to socialise, relax and improve health.
Minimise impact on best agricultural land, i.e. maximise the use of previously developed land and buildings, minimise green field and agricultural take.
Consult with the environment agency.
Use disused railway lines as cycle routes.
Improve and enhance the existing landscape and biodiversity features.
Use the local BAP.
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- Local involvement is essential; rural communities are small and fragile and must be involved from the outset.
| Pick the correct consultation method for the size and complexity of the development.
Make sure a cross-section of the whole community have been involved to get an accurate reflection of local views.
Minimise pollution and waste and maximise energy efficiency in any development.
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