Quality Design - West Berkshire SPD
This SPD has been produced to help developers to create places of high quality design which are sustainable, secure and accessible to all.
West Berkshire Council has produced a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) series on design and sustainability issues. The SPD comprises several documents which form the design guide series 'Quality Design - West Berkshire'. The series has been produced to help developers to create places of high quality design which are sustainable, secure and accessible to all. The SPD series applies to all new developments across the District, including residential and commercial.
On 19th June 2006 West Berkshire Council formally adopted the 'Quality Design - West Berkshire' Supplementary Planning Document series. The SPD is now part of the West Berkshire Local Development Framework and is a material consideration in all planning applications.
Part 4 'Sustainable Design Techniques' expects specified developments to achieve the EcoHomes / BREEAM or equivalent 'excellent' rating. This requirement came into effect on 2nd January 2007 so it applies to all applications since this date. From 1st August 2007 the minimum requirement under the Code for Sustainable Homes is level 3 stars.
Free Download
The SPD as well as guidance notes explaining BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes are available to view and download from the downloads box on the right hand side of this page. Accompanying the SPD as background documents are the Statement of Consultation which details the representations received during the consultation period, which ran from 28th October to 9th December 2005, and the Council's response, and in line with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the SPD was subject to Sustainability Appraisal (SA). Please note that due to the file size; some of the pdf documents may take a little while to download.
Hard copies and CD-ROM version
Printed copies are available to view in all libraries across the District and at the Council Offices in Market Street, Newbury. A CD containing the SPD, or a printed version is available on request from the Council Offices at the following prices:
- Complete Quality Design - West Berkshire SPD printed in full colour £40
- Parts 1-5 £20
- Area Design Focus £5 each
- CD containing full document £5
The Quality Design - West Berkshire SPD Series consists of 10 documents, which are:
Part 1 – Achieving Quality Design
Sets out the aims and objectives of the guide, how to use it, general urban design principles relevant to all new development and a list of information required, where appropriate, to support an application.
Part 2 – Residential Development
Sets out the urban design principles relevant to all new residential development. Should be used in conjunction with Part 3 of the series, which identifies the key character types within West Berkshire's residential areas.
Part 3 – Residential Character Framework
Sets out specific guidance required to assess character in context of new residential development. It should in particular be read in conjunction with Section 2 Part 1 of the series and Part 2 which focuses on residential development. Part 3 is supported by various Area Design Focus Statements which give detailed guidance for particular key areas.
Part 4 – Sustainable Design Techniques
Provides a range of methods, techniques and technologies as examples of solutions to sustainable building design for all developments which should be incorporated into new build. Its purpose is to assist in maximising the opportunity for developments to be energy and resource efficient. Expects specified developments to achieve the EcoHomes/BREEAM (or equivalent) rating of at least 'excellent'. (See the BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes guidance notes in the downloads section for further information).
Part 5 – External Lighting
Provides guidance to those proposing external lighting schemes either as part of a development proposal or as a planning application in its own right.
Area Design Focus Statements:
These statements aim to ensure that the cumulative effects of infill development do not harm the quality of residential neighbourhoods. The Council has identified key elements that define the character of particular areas that could be susceptible to infill development. The Council will produce Area Design Focus Statements for other key areas requiring a more detailed approach, as appropriate.
Area Design Focus - Andover Road, Newbury
Area Design Focus - Bath Road, Thatcham
Area Design Focus - Speen Lane, Newbury
Area Design Focus - Salisbury Road / Atherton Road / Atherton Crescent / Church Way, Hungerford
Area Design Focus - Halls Road / The Meadway / New Lane Hill, Tilehurst
