Design of New Dwellings Supplementary Planning Document Consultation

Proposal

Shropshire Council is proposing a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to provide design guidance for new dwellings, and in this way support the understanding and application of design policies in the adopted Development Plan.

This draft Design of New Dwellings SPD is structured around the following key principles:

1. Layout - responding to the site and its surroundings.
2. Character and appearance - distinctive places that complement their setting.
3. Integration - ensuring connectivity to and through the site.
4. Inclusivity and sustainability - health, wellbeing, sustainable development and responding to our changing climate.
5. Function - meeting the needs of occupiers.

If adopted, Shropshire Council planning officers would use this SPD when determining planning applications or permitted development (PD) ‘prior approval’ requests for new dwellings.

What is design?

Design is the appearance, function, sustainability and connectivity of a building or area. High-quality design maintains and enhances the character, appearance and historic interest of settlements, streetscenes, groups of buildings, individual buildings, our network of green spaces and the landscape. It creates better places in which to live and work, improves sustainability, supports active and healthy lifestyles, and ensures individual and community wellbeing.

Design in the adopted Development Plan

The adopted Development Plan includes a range of policies that address the achievement of high-quality design. Particularly relevant to the design of new dwellings are policies CS6 of the Core Strategy and policy MD2 of the SAMDev Plan.

How do SPDs support the adopted Development Plan

The purpose of SPDs, such at the draft Design of New Dwellings SPD, is to provide guidance to support the understanding and application of policies in the adopted Development Plan.

Let us know your thoughts

We're seeking feedback from all interested parties on the draft Design of New Dwellings SPD. This includes (but isn't limited to) town and parish councils, local groups, communities and the development industry.

To support those wishing to provide feedback on this SPD, we've prepared a response form, attached to this page.

Completed response forms can be submitted to us by emailing Planning.Policy@Shropshire.gov.uk

Whilst email is our preferred method to receive forms, they can also be submitted in writing by posting them to Planning Policy, Shropshire Council, PO BOX 4826, Shrewsbury, SY1 9LJ.

If you wish to provide feedback, please do so by 14 January 2025.

This consultation is consistent with our statement of community involvement.