Policy H2 - High-Quality Design

Justification:

The Hoe Neighbourhood Area is an area of high-quality architecture, its streetscapes are characterised by a general consistency in scale, density, building line and style of development, particularly in the conservation areas and West Hoe. The area has a unique combination of public parks, landmarks, public open space, panoramic views, and tourism and leisure facilities. Land use is diverse, comprised of many elements set around the central core of Hoe Park, which is an important public congregational and green space in a spectacular coastal setting. 

The Hoe Neighbourhood Development Plan supports the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan policies covering design and heritage DEV10, DEV20, and DEV21.

The Hoe Neighbourhood Area has four distinct character areas as shown in the map in Figure 7.

 Figure 7: The Hoe Neighbourhood Area character areas  

The characteristics of each area provide important evidence to support the development of planning and management policies and a reference point against which to monitor change. Through the Plymouth Hoe Design Guide, this policy adds value to the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan and provides specific design principles offering guidance for the design of new buildings, renovations and extensions to existing properties in the Hoe Neighbourhood Area. There is a clear need for this policy, and it is consistent with national and local design policy.

Comments most frequently made by those responding to community engagement and consultation were that new development should be of high-design quality and should fit in with its surroundings.

Intent:

Policy H2 sets out the key design principles that should be considered in relation to the design of new buildings, renovations and extensions to existing properties in the Hoe Neighbourhood Area. The sensitivity of the Hoe Neighbourhood Area is evidenced by the two Conservation Areas, a large number of listed buildings and non-designated heritage assets, alongside the important and iconic views of the coastal setting and Hoe Park. AECOM prepared the Plymouth Hoe Design Guide and made a set of recommendations reflected in the policy to ensure design considerations are specific and sensitive to development in the Hoe Neighbourhood Area. 

Key Evidence Sources:

• The Hoe Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan
• Barbican Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan
• Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Policies DEV10, DEV20 and DEV21
• Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan Heritage Impact Assessment
• Plymouth Waterfront Strategic Masterplan
• Plymouth Hoe Design Guide