Strategic Policy 33 - Development Quality

High quality and inclusive design for all development in the District will be required based on a clear understanding of the local, physical, social, economic, environmental and policy context for development. In particular, development will be required to:

1. Provide an attractive, functional, accessible, safe and adaptable environment in accordance with the principles of the National Design Guide, or any future updates;
2. Complement and respond to locally distinctive characters and heritage of the District. In appropriate locations where existing character allows, unique modern new design which has a high standard of architectural principles may be considered;
3. Contribute a sense of place both in the buildings and spaces themselves and in the way they integrate with their structural surroundings and the landscape in which they sit;
4.  Make efficient use of land and optimise the provision and use of buildings and open space within a site, taking into account the character, appearance and needs, together with the appearance and needs of the surrounding area;
5. Contribute to, and enhance, the green infrastructure that makes the District a more pleasant place to live. Existing landscape belts, trees, and hedgerows that are field boundaries and form the character of the landscape should be retained; and
6. Help secure a framework of high quality open spaces which meets the identified needs of the community as set out in any relevant Neighbourhood Plan, Design Statement and Character Statement. 

Strategic Policy 34 -  Development Principles

In order to conserve and enhance the natural and built environment, all proposals for development will be required to:

1. Make efficient use of land, and prioritise the use of previously developed land and buildings whilst respecting any constraints that  exist and meet the requirements of, and accord with, other Local Plan policies and designations;
2. Provide or retain a good standard of amenity for all existing and future occupants of land and buildings of the proposed site;
3. Be designed to avoid unacceptable harm to the amenity of existing and future occupiers or users of nearby property and land, for example through overlooking, dominance or overshadowing, traffic generation and general activity, noise, odour and/or vibration, whilst also having regard to the sensitivities/impact of surrounding development;
4. Ensure that the scale, massing and appearance of the development is of a high standard of design and layout and relates sympathetically with the built surroundings, landscape, open spaces and routes within and adjoining the site, including any impact on the skyline and important views;
5. Ensure that it is locally distinctive in character, respects and responds to the character of the surrounding area (including the overall setting, townscape features, views and green corridors) and, where available and applicable, takes account of the recommendations/ advice in the relevant Supplementary Planning Documents, Design Statements and Character Assessments;
6. Use high standards of building materials, finishes and landscaping and be sustainable in design and construction, incorporating best practice in resource management, energy efficiency and climate change adaption; 
7. Include the provision of street furniture,  public art and streetscene improvements where appropriate;
8. Development must relate sympathetically to the local landscape and should retain existing important landscape and natural features, for example trees, hedges, banks and watercourses. Any losses or harm to landscape and natural features that may occur through the development will require justification and evidence that new opportunities will be provided or that that mitigation or compensation for any loss will be provided. 
9. Ensure buildings and spaces are orientated to gain maximum benefit from sunlight and passive solar energy, unless this conflicts with the character of the surrounding townscape, landscape or topography where it is of good quality.

8.6 Proposals will also need to take the following into account where relevant:

10. Incorporate convenient, safe and visually attractive areas for the parking of vehicles and cycles, and the storage of bins/recycling facilities;
11. Incorporate measures to reduce actual or perceived opportunities for crime or antisocial behaviour both on the site and in the surrounding area. Measures include the creation of visually attractive frontages with windows and doors that provide  informal surveillance of public areas by occupants of the site , adjoining streets and public spaces; and
12. Make a clear distinction between the public and private spaces.

Policy 35 - Heritage Assets and Managing change in the Historic Environment 

The Council recognises that heritage assets, both designated and non-designated, and their settings are an irreplaceable resource, and as such the Council will preserve and enhance its historic environment through positive management of development affecting heritage assets. Applications for such development will be required to:

1. Make reference to, and show an understanding of, the significance of the asset, including drawing from research and documentation such as the West Sussex Historic Environment Record. Proposals to alter or extend Listed Buildings, including curtilage listed buildings, must be accompanied by a Heritage Statement;
2. Reflect the current best practice guidance produced by Historic England and Conservation Area Character Statements;
3. Make a positive contribution to the character and distinctiveness of the area, and ensuring that development in conservation areas is consistent with the special character of those areas;
4. Preserve, and ensure clear legibility of, locally distinctive vernacular building forms and their settings and features including trees, fabric and materials;
5. Secure the viable and sustainable future of heritage assets through continued preservation by uses that are consistent with the significance of the heritage asset. Change of use must be compatible with, and respect, the special architectural or historic interest of the asset and setting; and
6. Ensure appropriate archaeological research, investigation, recording and reporting of both above and below-ground archaeology, and retention where required, and provide assessments as appropriate.

Proposals which would cause substantial harm to, or loss of a heritage asset will not be supported unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial public benefits gained would outweigh the loss of the asset and that any replacement scheme makes an equal contribution to local character and distinctiveness. Applicants must show an understanding of the significance of the heritage asset to be lost, either wholly or in part, and demonstrate how the heritage asset has been recorded.

Policy 36 - Shop Fronts and Advertisements

• Applications for new, replacement and temporary shop fronts, including fascias, will be supported where the proposal respects the architectural style, character and form of the buildings or location of which they form a part, including appropriate use of materials, colour and illuminations.
• Within Conservation Areas or on Listed Buildings or other designated heritage assets, proposals will be expected to retain an existing traditional shop front and/or features of architectural or historic interest, through retention or restoration. This will include the use of traditional materials, traditionally painted fascias and hanging signs with muted colours. In some cases, discreet externally illuminated signs may be acceptable.
• Advertisements, including hoardings, illumination of hoardings and illuminated fascia signs should be sensitively designed, of an appropriate size and appropriately located. Advertisements should not be detrimental to the visual amenity of the buildings or area by reason of scale, detail, character, design or illumination; impair on pedestrian or highway safety; or result in, or compound, the perception of clutter on the street scene.
• The cumulative impact of advertisements on the character and appearance of the surrounding townscape and landscape will be considered as part of any such application.