Local Development Framework

Design SPD

Consultation Leaflet January 2011

www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk

What is this document all about? Design and local character- what do we mean by this? Cannock town centre is very different in its design, character and identity from Walsall or Lichfield town centres. Equally Cannock town centre is different in its design, character and identity from Rugeley or Hednesford town centre- no two places are the same, but why? It is because of the history of a place contributes to the type of buildings, streets, green open spaces, local monuments etc that you will find there and how they have been designed. For example, look at the differences in the type of buildings and character created in the modern area of Hawks Green, which is then very different to the old centre of Bridgtown. The built up urban areas and the natural environment all come together to create a unique place with a character and identity all of its own. Trying to understand the design, local character and identity of different places across the District is important because it helps us to understand what new developments should like look in the future. It helps us to improve the quality of the design of new buildings so that everyone appreciates them and so that we can ensure everywhere doesn’t just ‘look the same’. The design, local character and identity of a place affects how people feel about it- just think how different living in a large city such as Birmingham may feel compared to living in a village such as Cannock Wood. Design also affects the quality of people’s lives- attractive, well laid out homes with green spaces and play areas nearby can help improve people’s enjoyment of a place and life. As design is so important the Council is preparing a document that will provide guidance to new developments when they are submitted as part of a planning application to the Council. This will offer advice on the best design solutions for a particular area or for the type of development e.g. the design of offices in Cannock town centre will be different to the design of a new housing estate in Norton Canes. The guidance will therefore have a direct impact on the design of new developments on the ground in your area. As part of this work the Council has prepared a draft study of the District which aims to map and understand in detail the different characters and identities of places within it. We have picked out key features of areas including when the properties were built and what do they look like (e.g. are the terraced Victorian homes or modern detached homes); what sort of countryside, open green spaces or woodlands are nearby and how do they make the place ‘feel’; what local landmarks are there and how important are they? We are now looking for your views on this draft study and the draft design guidance to help it progress. At the same time we are thinking of creating a ‘Local List of Buildings and Structures of Local Architectural or Historic Importance’ and we would like you to make suggestions. Brereton and Ravenhill Parish Council have already initiated this with their local residents and we would like to expand upon their work. Your suggestions can be buildings, structures, features or sites around the District which are most of value to you for their contribution to the local scene or their connections with local history. Your suggestions will be taken into account later in the process when the list is prepared. Certain criteria will apply as to what can be locally listed. Please see the ‘Technical Appendix’ or contact the Council’s Conservation Officer (in Planning Policy) for further information.

How is it being done? The following section explains the work we have done so far and where we go from here. We have used a range of different maps, national and local guidance, and national and local information on the history of the District and its different areas. We have also taken into account views local people have previously sent us on other documents that relate to local design issues. If you would like to see in more detail how we have conducted the study please see the accompanying ‘Technical Appendix’ to this leaflet. This consultation is a crucial part of getting more input from you, the people who know your area best, so that you can be involved in how your place changes in the future. We will be asking local residents to get involved in several ways including by circulating this leaflet for people to comment on, by doing presentations and workshops for local groups and by holding a photography competition. This will ask people to send photos of their favourite places, buildings, structures, view points and types of design in the District and their local area. We will ask people to explain why they feel that particular feature is important too. The suggestions will be taken into account in preparing our Local List, and feed the information into more detailed descriptions of what the different local places are like in the District. What has been done so far? We have produced a summary description of the District as a whole e.g. what is unique about the character and identity of Cannock Chase compared with other places. This is called the ‘District Design Profile’. It provides an overview and sets the context for the more detailed local place (character area) descriptions: The District lies on the West Midlands conurbation rural-urban fringe, which is a defining feature of its overall semi-urban and rural character. The urbanised areas of the District have a largely ‘suburban’ character in contrast to typical higher density inner city or heavy industrial developments found in the neighbouring conurbations, which is related to the historical coal mining legacy and largely incremental nature of development in the 19th and 20th centuries. The District has remnants of early settlement- its medieval past, mining/industrial legacy and agricultural links provide a wealth of valuable assets that contribute to a distinctive character, such as the 8 Conservation Areas, historic farmsteads and the canal network. There are 3 historic town centres (with at least medieval origins) and a number of surviving historic local centres (dating from the 19th century) that are important to local identity. However its present day character is largely influenced by the more recent industrial past and post-war redevelopment. The urban areas have developed from a number of formerly separate farming or mining settlements that have gradually merged together from mainly post-war residential developments of a traditional style; however the identity of these historical places is still important in defining distinctive communities.

Green space and landscaping is a fundamental part of the District character. The centrally placed Cannock Chase AONB provides a strategic area of accessible countryside as well as a unique heathland and woodland landscape setting to the urban areas. Green Belt land envelopes the urban areas and also provides a range of benefits, including restored coalfield and farmland landscape settings. Throughout the urban areas there are a number of large green semi-natural spaces, such as Hednesford Hills, and protected mature trees lining streets. This natural environment gives the District a valuable semi-rural setting overall, which combined with the historical influence of human activities results in a distinctive character e.g. restored coalfields provide large areas of open space. The District rises from low lying, largely urbanised areas in the south to higher plateaus within Cannock Chase AONB. These plateaus then fall to the wide valley of the River Trent, bordering the urban area of Rugeley and Brereton. The topography also rises to the east and west away from the central valley floor running through the centre of the District. This topography creates a number of key views across the unique landscape. We have also produced a summary description for each local place (character area) we have identified across the Districts urban areas. There are 20 areas identified as shown on the map below 1and are based on where we think places have different/unique local characters e.g. we feel North Rugeley/Brereton has a different character from Western Rugeley because of the type and style of buildings and open spaces/countryside.

1 The 20th character area covers small groupings of buildings/individual farm buildings in the open countryside- not shown on this map as it applies District-wide outside of the urban areas

Based on Ordnance Survey Mapping with the Permission of the controller of her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Cannock Chase District Council. Licence No. 100019754. 2010 Each place has its own description of local character and identity followed by some design guidance for that area i.e. what sort of developments do we want in this area? As an example we have included here those for the District’s three town centres. If you would like to see the summary for your area please contact the Planning Policy Team or view them via our website (details at back of this leaflet).

Western Rugeley: Etching Hill and Springfields

Slitting Mill

Hagley Brereton and Ravenhill

Rugeley Town Centre and Historic Suburbs

North Rugeley/Brereton

Norton Canes

Hednesford Town Centre and Historic Suburbs

Pye Green Valley North Cannock-

Chadsmoor, Broomhill and Blackfords

South and West Cannock

Cannock Town Centre and Historic Suburbs

Bridgtown A5 Corridor

Heath Hayes and Wimblebury

Cannock Wood

Hazelslade and Rawnsley

Hawks Green

Prospect Village

Cannock Town Centre and Historic Suburbs Character Description: Cannock town centre has origins dating back to the medieval period, with a market being established in the 13th century. It is the largest centre in the District, catering for a range of shopping and commercial needs. It contains a mixture of historic town centre core, town centre redevelopment and edge of town centre types, with industrial/Victorian housing areas beyond. Key features are:

• Historic, medieval core street layout largely remains intact based on broad market place along with early surviving features such as the parish church, St Luke’s(dating from 14th and 15th century) and the 14th century wayside cross, a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Listed buildings on Mill Street and High Green remain from 18th and 19th century and the town centre is designated a Conservation Area. Land levels falls to south of town centre.

• Churchyard and bowling green form prominent green focal points, enhanced by mature tree planting.

• Town centre largely 2 and 3 storey, in red brick and light coloured render with tiled and slated roofs; St Luke’s Church and Conduit Head in local sandstone.

• Public art features and monuments signpost local history and character e.g. bandstands, memorials, water pumps; the pedestrian area is surfaced with modern red paviours.

• Retail, commercial and leisure uses predominate with residential areas beyond radiating out to the wider suburbs.

• Buildings on the edge of the town centre are mainly larger in scale and mass, of modern design, such as the Shopping Centre, Civic Centre and Hospital, up to maximum 5 storeys.

• Historic residential suburbs developed from the early 19th century, such as along Old Penkridge Road. The Victorian scale, detailing and ‘cottage’ style together with some former school buildings which survive create a strong sense of place in these areas. Housing of red brick and light coloured render, with roof lines stepping down the gradient south of the town centre.

• Immediately north of the town centre is the extensive green space of Cannock Park, including the Leisure Centre and golf course, which form a valuable amenity space.

• Area forms gateway along primary routes into the town, its surrounding suburbs and to places outside the District e.g. Stafford. Key landmarks include St Luke’s Church, the Technical College and the Council’s Civic Centre.

Key Local Design Principles or ‘New development should’:

• Preserve and enhance the historic street layout, key features and their settings to reinforce the strong local identity and attractiveness of the town centre.

• Preserve and complement the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and its setting, including views in and out. South end of town centre prominent from lower land to south.

• Maintain and enhance significant tree and other planting which contributes to the attractiveness of public spaces in the town centre and Park and particularly boundary hedges to gardens.

• Public realm repairs and maintenance should be carried out in appropriate matching and complementary high quality materials and opportunities pursued to reduce clutter in the streetscene.

• Encourage building owners to maintain buildings sympathetically and make appropriate full use of them to enhance vitality and viability in the town centre.

• Preserve and enhance buildings and features of local architectural and historic interest which contribute to local distinctiveness.

Further Information:

• See character types descriptions for further information on the built character and detailing.

• Cannock EUS (2009/10)- HUCAs 1-9, 11, 12 • Cannock Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal

and Management Plan (forthcoming) • Cannock Chase Local List (forthcoming)

Key Features Map Character and Landscape Types (period/type of development and type of open countryside nearby)

B ased on Ordnance Survey Mapping with the Permission of the controller of her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Cannock Chase District Council. Licence No. 100019754. 2010

Landmark 3- St Luke’s Church

Landmark 4- Listed College Building

Landmark 5- Council Offices

Rugeley Town Centre and Historic Suburbs Character Description: The town centre has origins dating back to the medieval period, with a market being established in the 13th century. Historic town centre and its traditional suburbs comprising historic residential areas including Industrial Victorian and Interwar houses, together with some edge of town centre larger scale buildings. Serves as main centre serving residents in north of the District. Key features are:

• Historic, medieval core layout of the town centre and some surrounding areas largely remains, with the traditional market place still in use. There are surviving features dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries e.g. timber framing on the Red Lion pub (Market Street)

• Prior to 19th century expansion of the town a historic grammar school and tithe barn stood in the area and horse fairs and sheepfairs took place on wide streets- there are a number of pre-19th century residential properties surviving including timber framed houses along Horsefair. 19thcentury development in conjunction with local mining industry – housing, schools, churches, chapels and public houses, park. A wealth of 19th century properties remains including the former market hall and terraced houses in the ‘suburbs’.

• Further infill development and redevelopment in 20th century including new road layout superimposed around town centre and larger scale buildings.

• Number of Conservation Areas, listed buildings and non-listed buildings of interest demonstrating importance of this area to understanding Rugeley’s historical development.

• Variety of domestic and town centre architectural styles- uniformity of building lines and diversity of quality detailing adding local distinctiveness. Larger plots in Talbot St and Church St with coach houses surviving. Dominated by terraced and semi-detached properties at 2-3 storeys. Traditional materials include red brick and grey/brown tiles with some rendering. Modern developments are typically concrete and ‘bulky’. High-medium density overall.

• Boundary treatment of brick and stone walls, railings and hedging • Mature tree planting punctuates street scene with important tree groups in

churchyards and Elmore Park • Church towers and spires from landmark features in wider area. Clock

tower and former market hall is key landmark in the town centre. • Area forms gateway to the town and wider suburban areas. Primary

routes form key links to neighbouring towns and countryside • Trent and Mersey canal to north is a unique asset requiring attention

Key Local Design Principles or ‘New development should’:

• Preserve and enhance the overall historic character which creates a strong local identity

• Preserve and complement the historic street layout, character and appearance of conservation areas and their setting, including views in and out

• Utilise and complement traditional building materials and detailing including boundary treatment

• Preserve and enhance tree coverage, boundary hedges to gardens and green space

• Contribute to the enhancement of exteriors of some buildings in the Conservation Area

• Contribute to less obtrusive traffic management (e.g. reduce double yellow lines)

• Contribute to the reduction of clutter in public realm • Ensure the layout and built form of infill development

is in character with the existing street scene • Modern development should respect the small scale

built form of Rugeley town centre and environs, in height, alignment with road frontages and plot sizes/urban grain.

• The canal setting should be promoted and enhanced to further promote this unique asset

Further information:

• See character types descriptions for further information on the built character and detailing.

• Rugeley EUS (2009/10)- HUCAs 1-14 • Conservation Area Appraisals and Management

Plans for Church Street, Talbot Street/Lichfield Street, Rugeley Town Centre (some forthcoming)

• Cannock Chase Local List (forthcoming)

Key Features Map Character and Landscape Types (period/type of development and type of open countryside nearby)

Based on Ordnance Survey Mapping with the Permission of the controller of her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Cannock Chase District Council. Licence No. 100019754. 2010

Landmark 12- Tower Clock and former Market Hall

Landmark 13- St Augustine’s

Hednesford Town Centre and Historic Suburbs Character Description: A small town with strong links to the former mining and horse racing industries that contributed to the areas rapid development in the 19th century. Suburbs are largely 20th century in character but with remnants of former Industrial and Victorian properties. The town centre is currently in the midst of a regeneration plan which aims to enhance the retail offer. Key features are: • The Cross Keys Inn (a listed building) lies at edge of character area (built

1746) and was the original centre of Hednesford, approx ¾ of a mile to south of present day town centre. Despite the town having older origins (possibly in 11th century and as a small village in 16th century) many of the surviving historical buildings and features are 19th century in origin reflecting rapid growth related to expansion of coal mining.

• Area influenced by surrounding Heathland landscape character and prominence of the Hednesford Hills (designated common land). Topography of Hills creates a unique background setting to the town.

• The present day town centre has a predominately 19th century character in terms of architecture, scale and road layout with modern infill e.g. the Lightworks. Forthcoming regeneration plans are likely to modernise the character further. Red brick and grey tiling dominates, with some rendering and yellow brickwork. Number of unique detailing features to several properties, creating prominent buildings with character. Mainly 2 storey, terraced properties with some 3 storey. High-medium density.

• Some surviving 19th century 2 storey residential properties and grid street patterns at Church Hill and in areas off the town centre, reflecting traditional materials in the historic town centre. Mid-20th century properties to south including number of bungalows. Post-war development fairly low density and 1960s-70s in character - varied in materials/detailing.

• Area acts as a key gateway between the urban area and the rural AONB/Hednesford Hills (urban-rural fringe character) along a key route which links north-south. Key landmarks are Angelsey Lodge (1831- a listed building), Hednesford War Memorial (1930s) and Our Lady of Lourdes - built 1927-1933 in a 13th century style with French overtones.

• Number of distinct features reflecting local heritage and identity including the town clock and memorial to miners outside the Library. Hednesford Park also creates important landscape setting to the town, containing a number of community recreation facilities

Key Local Design Principles or ‘New development should’: • Preserve and enhance the historic character of the main

town centre and surviving historic suburbs, which create a distinctive local character

• Preserve and enhance historic street layout, scale of development or key surviving features of historic interest and their setting e.g. Angelsey Lodge and building detailing (e.g. a decorative plaque, possibly of 1900s origin, built into a property along Market Street)

• Preserve and enhance the rural-urban fringe character- protection of key landscape assets including the Hills, Park and trees. Draw upon Hednesford Hills setting as inspiration for ‘greening’ the urban environment further

• Contribute to the street scene by removal/restoration of derelict properties in need of rejuvenation/sensitive redevelopment. Potential for modernisation via new developments that are sympathetic to the historic character. Utilise and/or complement existing materials including red brickwork

• Contribute to buffering of the urban edge and integration of developments via landscaping measures to prevent encroachment upon heathland landscape

• Contribute to mixed uses and the retail offer. Further information: • See character types descriptions for further information on

the built character and detailing. • Landscape Character Assessment (2008)- Heathland • Historic Environment Character Assessment (2009)-

CHECZ 5-7 • Cannock Chase Local List (forthcoming)

Key Features Map Character and Landscape Types (period/type of development and type of open countryside nearby

Based on Ordnance Survey Mapping with the Permission of the controller of her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Cannock Chase District Council. Licence No. 100019754. 2010

Landmark 7 – Our Lady of Lourdes

Landmark 8 – War Memorial

As well as considering the style and type of design of new developments in each local place, the design guidance document will also need to cover some key topics. These topics are likely to apply to all developments and will need to contain some technical guidance or advice on what solutions people may be able to use to help ensure their new development meets a range of different design standards. At present the Council is considering covering the following topics:

1. General Design Principles- setting out over-arching good quality design

principles, drawing on national guidance, such as ‘By Design’ (DETR) and established practice. This will set the scene for the other topics too.

2. Climate Change and Sustainability- this will give guidance on how new developments can use technologies such as renewable energy appropriately locally. It will also give advice on how buildings can use sustainable materials and be designed to cope with a potentially very different climate in the future e.g. able to deal with hotter summers by having better cooling and ventilation.

3. Historic Environment- this will give guidance on how new developments can respect or enhance existing historic buildings or structures and make sure that new buildings are in keeping with the style and character of important historic areas e.g. Rugeley Town Centre Conservation Area. It will also give guidance on how new developments could enhance historic features e.g. if a developer wants to improve a listed building.

4. Green Infrastructure and Landscape- this will give guidance on how new developments should take account of existing planting and provide new planting to enhance development and take account of green open spaces on-site or nearby. It will also give guidance on how to make sure new developments are in keeping with the character of countryside areas, especially the AONB.

5. Connectivity, Accessibility and Safety- this will give guidance on how developments should address linkages through and beyond them for sustainable transport purposes and how to design streets or provide parking facilities, drawing upon national ‘Manual for Streets’ guidance. It will also address issues around how to incorporate key crime prevention techniques, referencing national ‘Secured by Design’ guidance.

Summary and What do you think? The Council is producing a design guidance document to promote high quality design across the District which is suited to the local area and takes into account local characteristics. This will be used when deciding planning applications and so will have a direct impact on how things happen on the ground. We would like to know what you think about this work. Below we have suggested a few questions you may wish to answer. However we would be happy to hear all views, including those not covered by these questions.

1. Do you agree with the District Design Profile so far- what information could be added or changed? Look at the description for your local area- what information could be added or changed?

2. What are the best features of the District or your area e.g. what are the good examples of new design or do you prefer the modern or traditional types?

3. What memories do you have of your place and how do you feel about how it has changed?

4. Can you provide photographs of your favourite buildings or spaces in the District e.g. parks, areas of woodlands, particular houses, public buildings and structures and explain why they are important to you? For instance, is it because you like the architecture, the building materials used, the way the space can be used, how ‘safe’ the space feels?

5. Do you have any favourite views or vantage points across the District? Can you provide photographs of these?

6. What type of building designs would you like to see more of in your area? For example, would some modern buildings be welcome or do you prefer ‘traditional’?

7. Do you agree with the key topics we have identified that the design guidance should cover? What would you change and why?

8. What else do you feel the design guidance should cover? What’s next? Please send your comments to the Planning Policy Team at Cannock Chase Council by the 17th February 2011 using any of the methods below:

1. Write to ‘Planning Policy’ at Cannock Chase Council, Civic Centre, PO BOX 28, Beecroft Road, Cannock, WS11 1BG

2. Email planningpolicy@cannockchasedc.gov.uk All of the Design SPD documents are available to view at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/planningpolicy. We will then use these responses to produce a draft design guidance document, which will undergo a formal six-week public consultation. After this, any further changes required can be made and the document can then be adopted by the Council.