ipswich.gov.uk

DM5 Design. SPS notes that only criteria e and f refer to special townscape character and architectural quality but consider that to be inadequate to control the delivery of high quality design. Notwithstanding the supporting text we believe that the policy should be more specific and robust and refer you to SCDC Design Policy DM21 as a better example:
Proposals that comprise poor visual design and layout, or otherwise seriously detract from the character of their surroundings will not be permitted. Development will be expected to establish a strong sense of place, using streetscenes and buildings to create attractive and comfortable places to live, work and visit. Accordingly, development will be permitted where the following criteria are met: (a) proposals should relate well to the scale and character of their surroundings particularly in terms of their siting, height, massing and form; (b) in areas of little or no varied townscape quality, the form, density and design of proposals should create a new composition and point of interest, which will provide a positive improvement in the standard of the built environment of the area generally; (c) alterations and extensions to existing buildings should normally respect the plan form, period, style, architectural characteristics and, where appropriate, the type and standard of detailing and finishes of the original building; (d) in order for extensions to existing buildings to be acceptable, particularly on those that are considered to be architecturally and historically important (including vernacular architecture) and those located in sensitive locations, the extension shall be visually 'recessive' and its size and design shall be such that the original building will remain the more dominant feature on the site; (e) layouts should incorporate and protect existing site features of landscape, ecological, heritage or amenity value as well as enhance such features e.g. habitat creation; and (f) attention must be given to the form, scale, use, and landscape of the spaces between buildings and the boundary treatment of individual sites, particularly on the edge of settlements. SCDC DM21
DM34 Countryside - criteria a and g are incompatible because a major housing development is unable to respect the character of the countryside which is defined by low density, sparse pattern of housing and open spaces. This policy also fails to specify a sequential approach to site selection, supporting brownfield before greenfield sites are released. Furthermore, the wording of the policy fails to include "enhance" when referring to council's statutory duty with regard to the AONB, in line with S.85 of the CROW Act.