We continue to make steady progress. In the last month, we have:
- Started work on a Local Landscape Character Assessment.
In the Parish survey last year, there was a very strong indication that the local countryside matters to residents. Over 130 respondents said that the character of the local landscape was a reason they liked living and working here while protecting this was the second most popular objective for the new plan. But to create effective policies that promote the local countryside, the Plan must first identify the essential features of the area.
At national level, the Parish of Husthwaite falls entirely within National Character Area 28 which is the ‘Vale of York’. This does not really accurately describe the very special geological and landscape features of our lovely Parish. The Hambleton Character Areas are much more detailed but the Parish is covered by three different areas and adjacent to two others, which makes identification of the relevant elements challenging. So we have decided to create our own character assessment.
Some Neighbourhood Plan groups instruct professional landscape architects to undertake this work but some do it themselves which is the option we have gone for. A sub-group comprising David Aspinall, Julia Hampshire, Keith Gittens and Alison Sawalhi are currently carrying out a desktop survey and will follow this with an ‘on the ground’ field survey. If anyone else would like to assist with this, or would like to suggest particular landscape features that should be recorded in the assessment, their input would be most welcome – please contact any one of the group direct or via husthwaitepc@hotmail.co.uk.
- Reviewed and commented on extensively the first complete draft Design Code prepared by external consultants, AECOM (funded by the Government through Locality.org).
This 80 page document analyses the historical development of Husthwaite village and the traditional features, including layout, building materials, styles and setting which contribute to its unique character and sense of place. It also considers the countryside part of the parish and looks at key elements of development in that area. The Design Codes themselves then set out a list of requirements, some mandatory, which all new development should take into account so as to maintain the essential character but also create well-designed sustainable buildings.
The draft Design Code has now been submitted to Locality for its approval but the content is still subject to consultation. The Design Code will be a formal part of the Neighbourhood Plan so will be published to all Parish residents – and to statutory consultees – for comment once the draft Plan is complete which we hope will be May/June.
- Reviewed and commented on the revised draft Ecology Appraisal.
- Continued to work with the Husthwaite History Society on the list of buildings and other features which should be recognised as heritage assets (non-listed).
- Met with Broadacres Housing Association briefly to obtain their view on the Housing Needs Assessment and their plans for updating their current housing stock in Husthwaite and for creating more affordable housing in the area. Broadacres are building currently in Tollerton and elsewhere in Hambleton but have no immediate plans to build further housing in Husthwaite, although their representative expressed some interest if sites were identified and secured. Broadacres intends to make all their sites carbon neutral by 2050, with installation of air source heating and thermal treatment for external walls.
- Reported on progress to the Parish Council at their meeting on 11 February and obtained Parish Council approval of the draft objectives for the new Plan which have been amended slightly to take on board feedback from parish residents who came to the drop in events held in January.
- Finally (!) started drafting the policies for the new Plan. This is now very much the focus for the next month as our grant covering work done by planning consultant, Steve Besford Foster, expires on 31 March. While we could potentially obtain further funding (up to £8000) for more of his time, we can’t do this for the next financial year until the Government confirms the general funding for neigbhourhood plans and also confirms that Locality will continue to oversee this. We expect there to be a hiatus after 31 March while we wait for the Government confirmation, during which time no neighbourhood plan groups will be able to secure the essential funds they need for these complex projects. We are therefore in a race to complete the first draft by the end of March – watch this space!