Statement Introduction

Introduction

This Village Design Statement is based upon information given by villagers in the surveys for the Slyne with Hest Parish Plan published January 2006.

The aim of this Village Design Statement is to help all residents, builders, architects, planners and in particular Parish Council consultations, and others who are involved in the process of change in the village, to consider whether they are doing the best to retain and enhance the characteristics of Slyne-with-Hest in accordance with wishes of those in the parish, regarding areas of planning considerations indicated below.



ENVIRONMENTAL

Questionnaire showed what environmental features should be preserved/protected:

It is clear that if Trees, Open Spaces, the Shore, Green Belt, Canal, Village Green and Rakes Head British Heritage Site are preserved the wildlife in the village will prosper.  To this end, “nature corridors” must be retained.

The work of the Tree Wardens is vital in the continuing preservation of the leafy aspect of the village by overseeing the removal of diseased trees and replanting.

Tree Preservation Orders for Slyne-with-Hest

A Tree Preservation Order can be requested by any person in order to protect that tree from damage or removal, by application to the Planning Department of Lancaster City Council.

RECREATION

The preservation and improvement of the Recreation Ground which is a vital amenity must be protected and maintained as must all footpaths and bridleways.  The canal towpath also acts as a safe cycleway north and south.  The tennis courts, bowling green , football pitches and play and youth meeting areas to be maintained and improved.

The beach at Hest Bank is part of Morecambe Bay and covered by the designations:-
EMS - European Marine Site which also means it is SAC - special area of conservation designated for its habitats of national importance and SPA – special protection area designated for the internationally important numbers of birds. It is also SSSI - special site of scientific interest designated under the wildlife and countryside act 1981 and a RAMSAR site; a wetland of international importance.  It is therefore imperative that no building be permitted, or damaged caused, to this important area.  All vistas to be protected from the erection of more communication masts.




BUILDING

The land owned and maintained by The Parish Council must be protected from future development, unless at the express wish of the Paris Council to improve an existing amenity.

Please see appendix 2

New builds, conversions and extensions.

• To maintain and preserve the listed buildings and their surroundings.
• To preserve the conservation area in the village.
• To meet the local needs regarding housing and business and to be sustainable.
• To be in keeping with the surrounding architecture, using sympathetic design and materials so as to sit comfortably within the surroundings.
• To preserve the trees and leafy character of the Village.
• Biodiversity interests should be identified during the outline planning stage and features that provide opportunities for wild life to colonise, built into the development plan for the site.  As a general rule, development should not lead to any loss in biodiversity, and adverse effects on local wildlife and habitats should be avoided, minimised and/or compensated for.

Infilling.

Infilling is the development of land adjacent to existing property.

All infilling is to be in keeping with the architecture of surrounding properties and to use sympathetic design and materials.  Not to dominate the surroundings and to preserve the proportion of garden space to the new build, so as to maintain the green character of the area.

The protection of the rural areas; farms, associated trees and hedgerows, within the village boundaries, are to be preserved in order to maintain the farms as viable businesses.  Not to permit the green belt therefore, to be eroded by development of housing schemes or industrial builds.


Arboricultural Impact Study

An Arboricultural Impact Study (AIS) is an assessment of the impact that development will have in relation to the trees on a specific site.

In order to retain the much prized leafy aspect of Slyne-with-Hest, AIS should be considered and is surely required were Tree Preservation Orders are concerned.

Contact details:

• Conservation team, Tel: 01524 852535 or visit the Council's website www.lancaster.gov.uk/forwardplanning
  
  
•  Tree Preservation Order, Tel: 01524582384

TRANSPORT AND ROADS.

1. Preserve the “Village Character” by not creating pavements throughout the Village.
2. Impose speed limits and designate “quiet lanes”.  Traffic calming measures, befitting a rural area, to be in place and enforced, but not with “sleeping policemen”, as these can damage the suspension, tyres and steering of cars.
3. Restrict heavy traffic from using the three canal bridges by imposing and enforcing weight limits of 7.5 tons or lower.
4. Keep all road furniture to a minimum, consistent with safety.
5. Enable the lanes to be used safely by walkers, cyclists and horse riders by imposing the above traffic calming measures.
6. Create, where possible pathways beside Hasty Brow Lane by compulsory purchase of land running beside the Lane.
7. Construct crossings of both the Coastal Road and the A6 at appropriate points.
8. No increase in parking on the shore at Hest Bank.

LISTED BUILDINGS IN SLYNE WITH HEST.

for details of construction and materials used in each case, please refer to the Lancaster City Council Planning Department. top