The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This policy protects the gaps between settlements so that towns and villages keep their separate identities. Development that would erode a gap's function will be refused unless no reasonable alternative site exists outside it. Schemes must preserve openness and the sense of leaving one place before entering another, avoid urbanising features such as lighting and access roads, and be assessed alongside other development for cumulative effects. It also designates Areas of Restraint, shown on the Policies Map, where the open character of land must not be harmed.
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context.
Policy DS.17
Maintaining Settlement Identity and Areas of Restraint
Gaps between settlements play a vital role in maintaining their unique
identity, rural character and landscape setting. These gaps must be preserved.
Development that would erode the function of a settlement gap will not be supported
unless it is demonstrated that no reasonable alternative locations exist outside the
gap.
A. Preventing Coalescence
Development within settlement gaps must:
1. Preserve the openness, rural character and both the visual and perceptual
separation between settlements including the experience of leaving one
settlement before entering another. Particular regard must be given to views
from public rights of way, highways and settlement approaches and historic
features noted by Historic England.
2. Reference should be made to the Warwickshire Landscape Guidelines, and
any future character and strategic gap studies, including those prepared as
part of Neighbourhood Development Plans. The historic settlement and field
patterns which are identified as being important to the local character should
be protected.
3. Avoid introducing built form, lighting, access roads or other urbanising
features that would diminish the rural character or function of the gap.
4. Be assessed cumulatively alongside other existing and proposed development
to ensure that the function, openness or character of the gap is not
incrementally eroded.
5. Demonstrate that alternative siting or design options have been fully
considered to avoid harm to the gaps purpose and effectiveness.
B. Identified Areas of Restraint
The boundaries of the Areas of Restraint are shown on the Policies Map.
Land designated as an Area of Restraint makes an important contribution to the
character of the settlement and the wider South Warwickshire landscape.