Issue and Options 2023

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Issue D1: Strategic Design Principles The NPPF is clear that a strategic design policy should be grounded in an understanding and evaluation of each area’s defining characteristics (paragraph 127). Historic England therefore considers that the range of topics for strategic design policy should also encompass reference to ‘local character and history, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting’ as well as reference to establishing or maintaining a strong sense of place, as advised by the NPPF at paragraph 130. Issue D2: Design Codes and Design Guides Historic England supports the use of Design Codes and Design Guides to inform development and ensure that it is responsive to its setting. Information on good practice for design and on Historic England’s role in encouraging and facilitating new development which is based on an understanding of each site’s unique history, character and context, can be found at: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/planning/design-in-the-historic-environment/ Issue D3: Designing adaptable, diverse and flexible places Historic England advises that any density policy for the SWLP should ensure that it supports the delivery of development that takes account of the desirability of maintaining the prevailing character and setting of an area. Issue D4: Safe and attractive streets and public spaces In relation to the appropriate range of topics for a policy on the design of safe and attractive streets, Historic England suggests that the contribution made by the historic environment to the character of a street or pubic space should be included, in line with paragraph 190 of the NPPF. Issue D5: Protecting and enhancing Heritage assets Historic England welcomes the recognition of heritage as an important consideration at the strategic level for the South Warwickshire Local Plan and we therefore support the proposed approach to include a high-level strategic policy within the Part 1 Plan. We are also pleased to see that the evidence base in relation to the historic environment will be developed as the Plan is progressed and that it will be utilised in determining the future growth strategy for the area.

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Issue W3: Ensuring the built environment provides healthy and inclusive communities Historic England welcomes the recognition of the SWLP of the important role that spatial planning has in the creation of healthy, safe and inclusive communities. However, we suggest that the Plan also references the role of heritage in communities and acknowledges the link between heritage and improvements in physical and mental health and well-being, as mentioned in the Scoping version of the SWLP. Whilst we are supportive of a policy on ‘health’, we consider that the policy title and content should encompass ‘well-being’, as well as ‘health’.

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Issue B1: Areas of Restraint Areas of Restraint are potentially a mechanism for protecting areas that contribute positively to heritage assets or well preserved historic settlements. For example, where a settlement has a good medieval settlement form, the surrounding fields may contain further evidence of medieval settlement or associated field system, and therefore such policy protection is welcomed. However, Historic England considers that such a policy should be consistent across both Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick districts, and that clarification of the definition of areas that can be included should be encompassed within the SWLP. Issue B5: Environmental Net Gain Historic England would welcome an integrated Environmental Net Gain policy and considers that it could have a historic environment output as Ecosystem Services can include a cultural element. Opportunities for outcomes that benefit both natural and historic environments would increase the gain. For example, the opportunity for new development to conserve or enhance heritage assets or their setting through the delivery of the ambitions of an integrated Environmental Net Gain policy would be beneficial and where harm has been minimised, the remaining harm would be balanced through the positive delivery of this policy, to secure both natural and historic environment benefits. Historic England would be happy to provide further comments as the South Warwickshire Plan is progressed over the coming months. We should like to stress that the above opinion is based on the information provided by the Councils in their consultation. To avoid any doubt, this does not affect our obligation to provide further advice and, potentially, object to specific proposals, which may subsequently arise (either as a result of this consultation, or in later versions of the plan/guidance) where we consider that these would have an adverse impact upon the historic environment.

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