Maintaining Settlement Identity and Areas of Restraint

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. Development must not harm or threaten the open nature of designated areas of restraint, taking into account any possible cumulative effects. Planning permission for a large-scale form of development in an Area of Restraint will only be granted where a scheme would have demonstrable community benefits and contribute significantly to meeting the strategic objectives of the South Warwickshire Local Plan. It will also need to be demonstrated that no suitable alternative site in the locality outside the Area of Restraint is available for the proposed development. Projects which protect and enhance the landscape character and visual amenity of Areas of Restraint will be encouraged, as will the promotion of beneficial uses such as public access, nature conservation and food production. Policy Justification 2.12.6 The NPPF does express the importance of preserving and enhancing landscapes and ensuring that developments are sympathetic to local character and history, including the landscape setting. 2.12.7 Strategic and local settlement gaps maintain the separate identity of settlements prevent coalescence and safeguard both visual and perceptual separation. These gaps perform an important function role in maintaining openness rural character and the experience of leaving one settlement before entering another. Considering cumulative effects is essential as incremental change can erode the function of these gaps over time. 2.12.8 Identifying Areas of Restraint recognises the importance of open land within and around urban areas and its value to local people. Whilst open countryside is protected from most forms of development, this may not always be sufficient to protect areas of sensitive land such as river valley corridors on the fringes of a settlement which can be under particular pressure for development and intensified use. 2.12.9 Areas of Restraint are not considered to be local landscape designations in that they do not relate primarily to the quality of the landscape itself. They apply to relatively small areas within or adjacent to settlements and their overriding purpose is to protect the inherently open nature of a particular area because of the valuable contribution it makes to the character and physical form of the settlement. This includes significant areas of open space within the urban area or a physical feature which is important in establishing its setting. 2.12.10 It is not intended to restrict all forms of development within Areas of Restraint. There is a wide range of activity supported by each of them, mainly of an agricultural or recreational nature. It is reasonable to allow these uses to be maintained and to take account of their needs. On that basis, various forms of development may be appropriate, including limited extension or alteration to existing buildings, buildings related to existing or proposed outdoor sport and recreation facilities, cemeteries, allotments, farm diversification schemes and small-scale additions to existing groups of farm building