§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the role of a parish council in the(a) preparation and (b) implementation of a village design statement. [20737]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordParish councils may have an enabling or co-ordinating role during the preparation of village design statements. They may also make representations on development plans and development control matters.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he will take if design constraints in a rural community inhibit(a) local affordable housing, (b) job creation and (c) creative use of areas of local land; and if he will make a statement. [20735]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordDesign issues—such as considering a building's context, its relationship to its setting, and its relationship to its proposed function—may be material consideration in determining a planning application or appeal. They will need to be assessed with other planning considerations in taking decisions.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to protect free-standing buildings in(a) villages, (b) whole parishes and (c) hamlets and less defined settlements; and if he will make a statement. [20736]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordNational policy on the re-use of rural buildings is set out in planning policy guidance note 7, "The Countryside and the Rural Economy." There should generally be no reason for preventing the re-use of rural buildings, provided their form, bulk and general design are in keeping with their surroundings.
DOE circular 26/92 advises on planning controls over demolition.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is given to local authorities in determining the relative priority which is accorded to(a) a village design statement and (b) other building development; and what guidelines apply in respect of the use of concrete blocks as building materials in villages. [20738]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordVillage design statements are being promoted by the Countryside Commission. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State supports this initiative, which enables local people to express views on how future development can make a positive contribution to a specific area. The Countryside Commission plans to publish advice on the preparation of village design statements later this year.
Village design statements may be a material consideration in determining a planning application or appeal, and it is for local planning authorities to consider whether to adopt them as supplementary guidance to the development plan.
The development plan system provides the framework for planning for new development and for delivering a quality built environment. Planning policy guidance note 1 advises planning authorities to reject obviously poor designs which are out of scale or character with their surroundings.