Boughton Aluph & Eastwell Parish Design

BOUGHTON ALUPH AND EASTWELL

PARISH DESIGN STATEMENT

Published October 2003

WHAT IS A PARISH DESIGN STATEMENT?

The Statement ensures that development and change in the parish are managed so that they respect the character and individuality of its buildings and the surrounding countryside. It encourages good design by analysing and defining the characteristic style of Boughton Aluph and Eastwell. It will thus contribute positively to protecting and enhancing the special nature and qualities of the community that is the parish today. It is not concerned about whether development should take place or not; that is the job of the Ashford Local Plan and the Local Authority.

HOW WAS IT PREPARED?

A Steering Group managed the project on behalf of the community, acting independently from, but with the full support of the Parish and Ashford Borough Councils. All the residents of the parish were invited to contribute to and involve themselves in the project through public meetings, a questionnaire, surveys, workshops and an exhibition. The document was written and produced by residents in five sub-groups, reflecting the views of the community expressed during the consultation process.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Change is brought about not only by large developments, but also by small alterations, conversions and additions to existing buildings and homes. Gardens, open spaces, highways, footpaths, hedgerows, woodland, farmland and even road signs can also be changed. Any of these can alter the look and feel of the parish. Change cannot be prevented or undone. People will always want to alter their houses or to build new ones. The aim of the Design Statement, based on a considered understanding of the parish’s past and present, is to minimise the impact on the parish as a whole, thus ensuring that any further development or change will add in a positive way to the future of Boughton Aluph and Eastwell.

DOES IT HAVE APPROVAL?

On 11 September 2003 the Boughton Aluph and Eastwell Parish Design Statement was approved by Ashford Borough Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the Ashford Local Plan. The Design Guidelines are now part of the official planning policy, so all future planning applications will have to meet their recommendations. The Parish Preferences are views expressed by the community that are desirable but cannot be included in the Design Statement as Design Guidelines.

HOW WILL IT BE USED?

One of the aims of the Parish Design Statement is to inform and influence all involved in the design of planning proposals within the parish. It should also be used by people considering making alterations or additions for which planning permission is not required. Such people and bodies include:-

Architects, builders, designers and developers;
Property owners planning new buildings or alterations or additions to existing buildings;
Land owners considering change of land usage;
The local planning authority (Ashford Borough Council);
Boughton Aluph and Eastwell Parish Council;
The local highways authority; and
Public utilities

As the Design Statement has been accepted as Supplementary Planning Guidance it will be used by the Parish Council when making recommendations on planning applications and by Ashford Borough Council when determining such applications.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN A COPY?

In November 2003 one copy of the Statement was delivered free of charge to every household, organisation and business in the parish. To read the Design Statement you can click on the link at the bottom of this page and print it if you wish. Please note that to do this you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader enabled on your browser. This is readily available, free of charge, and can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat Reader

If you wish to purchase a copy of the published document then this will cost £5.00. UK postage for a single copy will be 56p. Multiple copies will be at the appropriate Royal Mail Second-class Letter rate. Overseas postage will at the Royal Mail Airmail Printed Paper rate. One copy of the Statement weighs 148g and the envelope 16g. Cheques should be made payable to Boughton Aluph and Eastwell Parish Council. Please send your request and payment to:-

John Johnson

Boundary Cottage

The Lees

Boughton Aluph

Ashford

Kent

TN25 4JB