South Ayrshire Local Plan

Section Two - Built Heritage, Design and Conservation

Building Design

Development and building design in the past relied heavily on local tradition, building form and materials. However, more recently the adoption of modern standardised building materials and building design has, in some cases, begun to erode the unique character of South Ayrshire’s environment. Good design is therefore clearly relevant when considering proposals which may affect older buildings; especially those which are listed due to their architectural or historic interest. Careful consideration should however also be given to the design of all new development.

Whilst it is considered that style is a matter of personal taste, or preference, good design is easier to define and forms a strong element of Government planning policy and guidance in terms of buildings, their settings and the spaces around them. Design is therefore viewed as an important element in the protection of townscape character, as a means of enhancing environmental quality and as a way of ensuring a positive contribution is made by new development to the environment as a whole.

In order to achieve the aims of protecting and enhancing the built environment the Plan provides general design principles and guidance.

POLICY BE1*

To ensure a consistent high standard of development within the plan area, proposals will be considered in terms of compliance with the design criteria detailed in panel 1

NOTE
PANEL 1 is considered to form an integral part of POLICY BE1 and applies to both new development and extensions to existing development/buildings.

DESIGN PANEL ONE

General Criteria for New Development

The Council is committed to the promotion of developments which comprise well designed buildings, which are sensitive to their locality and respect the local vernacular building and townscape character built with high quality materials, and incorporating attractive open spaces - both for public or private use which are sympathetic and make a positive contribution to the essential townscape character of the main towns, settlements and/or countryside.
The Council will encourage, and is sympathetic to, contemporary architecture where in compliance with point one above.
All development, regardless of scale, will be expected to be carefully designed so as to be appropriate in terms of the character of the area in which it is to be located.
The design of a proposed development should respect and reflect the character of its setting and locality in terms of:

            - the density of the proposed development;
            - the ratio, location and treatment of open space provision to built form;
            - building height, scale and massing;
            - dominant traditional architectural characteristics of the locality; and
            - wall/roof proportions, windows and door proportion and siting within façade.

Materials used in the construction of proposed development should reflect the character of buildings in the locality in terms of:

- material type, colour, texture, roof materials, window frames and doors; and - the size, or appearance of size, of individual building blocks or units (e.g. brick, stone blocks etc.

New development and extensions to existing premises must demonstrate consideration for the amenity of adjoining property - especially in terms of the maintenance of privacy and ambient daylight in dwellings and their garden spaces.
Developments should have regard to the principles of barrier free design in order that they are easy to use by any member of the population, especially those with special needs or mobility requirements. This is especially relevant in respect of facilities and premises open to the public.

Development proposals should take into account whether elements of the building’s design, or site layout could create potential problems in terms of personal or property security and aim to eliminate such possibilities. Different uses of the proposed development, or different times of usage may require consideration in this regard.

Security of property should be an integral consideration of design rather than an after thought. Where additional security measures are considered necessary, they should not become a dominant feature of the development at any time (e.g. use of open mesh shutters with recessed housing in preference to solid shutters or with obtrusive external housing).