Great Tey Neighbourhood Plan 2022-2033 (Regulation 16)

(4) 4 DESIGN AND LANDSCAPING

Objective 1: To ensure high quality design of development that reflects the character of Great Tey as a rural community

4.1 The design of built development in a rural setting such as Great Tey can have a disproportionate impact on a community, either negatively or positively depending on whether it is a high quality development or not. This is not only the way the buildings are designed and made to look; it also includes how they are laid out, how bulky they are, how well landscaped they are so that they sit comfortably in their surroundings and whether valued views are retained. This section addresses the aspects of design, landscaping and views that are particularly important in Great Tey.

4.2 It should be noted that the Colchester Local Plan Section 2 directs development in the parish to Great Tey village, unless it is appropriate use in the countryside or relates to the Tey Brook Farm Local Economic Area.

Design

4.3 Building height and density are two critical aspects of design that, if out of keeping with the character of a rural area, can have a disproportionately negative impact. Great Tey parish has a low density, reflective of its rural setting. Properties tend to be 1-2 storeys high with decent-sized rear gardens, i.e. the combination of low heights and low density create the open, spacious, rural feel. Development should generally be no more than 2-2.5 storeys, with lower heights towards the edge of developments or adjacent to the edge of the village/open countryside. It should seek to maintain a consistent roofline where this could impact on long distance views; otherwise subtle changes in roofline are encouraged where they create visual interest.

4.4 Densities should be in keeping with the prevailing densities in the area around the site. This applies to developments both on the edge and closer to the middle of the village. It is particularly important in sensitive locations where development abuts open countryside or green spaces that the density and bulk of development is appropriate.

4.5 The layout of buildings on a site is important to create a successful streetscape with, in the context of Great Tey, a not overly urban feel. Natural boundary treatments such as hedges are one way to help achieve this and are encouraged, as are low walls using local bricks and tiles. Road layouts should be designed to slow traffic, giving pedestrians more assurance that they are the predominant street user, not the private car.

4.6 The materials and architectural details that are used will go a long way to ensuring that new development feels like it fits in the with the Great Tey vernacular. In particular, pitched roofs with either artificial slate or plain tiles and elevations where brick, render or boarding are predominant are likely to achieve this. Design should take its cues from local design references in both the natural and built environment and the palette of materials used should also reflect this. Any materials used should come from sustainable sources and be procured in a sustainable way.

Generic examples of local materials and architectural details

4.7 Housing extensions must meet the general requirements of Colchester Local Plan Section 2 Policy DM13 (Domestic development). However, there are particular design features which will help to ensure a sympathetic, high quality design. These include being set back from the main building and complementing the materials and detailing of the original building and ensuring the roof extension harmonises with the original building.

Positive example of side extensions in Great Tey

4.8 Development should also meet the highest levels of sustainability in its design and construction. This should cover a range of matters including water use and waste reduction. Local Plan Part 2 Policy DM25 (Renewable energy, water, waste and recycling) requires development to meet the Building Regulation optional higher water efficiency standard of 110 litres per person per day. However, the Anglian Water region is an area of serious water stress therefore, to align with the Government's Environmental Improvement Plan^[2] which sets ten actions in the Roadmap to Water Efficiency, new developments is encouraged to go further and achieve a figure of 100 litres per person per day. Anglian Water has advised that this can be achieved through a 'fixtures and fittings' approach.

Landscaping

Hedgerows and trees forming a mature boundary to the open countryside

4.9 Well designed and well laid out buildings need to be complemented by high quality landscaping to blend into their rural context. In Great Tey this is no exception. Development adjoining public open spaces and important gaps should either face onto them or have a soft landscaped edge. Existing trees, hedges hedgerows and shrubs should be preserved where possible and abrupt edges to development with little vegetation should be avoided. This is particularly important where development is adjacent to open countryside - a high quality landscaping belt must be used to minimise the impact of built development as viewed from open countryside outside Great Tey. Similarly, the impact of development on heritage assets – principally listed buildings but also the Conservation Area – must be minimised through the use of green screening. This aligns with and is informed by the Essex Green Infrastructure Strategy 2020^[4] and the Essex Green Infrastructure Standards 2022^[5].

4.10 It is important that there is a strategy for maintaining any street trees that are included as part of developments. Applicants should work with highways officers to ensure that the right trees are planted in the right places, and solutions are found that are compatible with highways standards and the needs of different users. Guidance is provided in the Essex Design Guide^[6].

Views

4.11 Great Tey has a rich heritage dating back to pre-historic times, both in terms of its heritage buildings and its rural landscape. The ability to appreciate both is of fundamental importance to the community of Great Tey.

St Barnabas Church

4.12 New development which could impact on the landscape of Great Tey or its historic buildings should not only protect and preserve them but should look for ways that they can be further promoted. The scenic values and tranquillity of the countryside should be retained. In particular, a series of views that are considered to be important to the identity of Great Tey have been identified. These are shown on Figure 4.1 and described below:

Figure 4.1: Locally valued views

1. Brookhouse Road looking south towards Walcott Hall

4.13 This view is on a common walking route in open countryside to the west of Great Tey village. The wide vista provides an aspect of large, open skies which impose over the landscape. The views in the distance are enhanced as the land drops away to the Roman River.
 

2. New Barn Road looking south west towards Brookhouse Road

4.14 This view out from the village looking west provides a clear view of the countryside for the regular walkers that use this route. The view, typified by the big skies it encompasses, is enhanced by the sloping of the land away to the west.
 

3. Earls Colne Road looking south towards Harold Fairs Recreation Ground and St Barnabas Church

4.15 This medium distance view looks south towards the village of Great Tey. It provides both a wide view across open countryside with its big skies and a specific view of St Barnabas Church, the tallest and most distinct feature on the village's skyline.
 

4. Warrens Farm gate towards St Barnabas Church 

4.16 This view looking east from the rural route to the west of Great Tey village is popular with walkers. From a rural aspect it provides the best 'framed' view of St Barnabas Church, set against the rooftops of buildings on the edge of Great Tey and the tree line.

4.17 In addition, the views generally of St Barnabas Church, a grade I listed church, and its tower are important as this is the single most important landmark in the village. There are multiple views of the church in addition to that from Warrens Farm gate and all should be preserved.

4.18 Development should allow for views between buildings of open countryside to be preserved. This is an important feature of rural villages and density is a component of this, dealt with accordingly in Policy GTTEY1.

4.19 More generally, development should preserve existing open spaces in Great Tey because these provide short distance 'views' of the historic form and pattern of development in the village.