Oxenhope Neighbourhood Development Plan (Regulation 16) July 2021

4.0 Policies

4.1 General Policies 

Justification:

119 people completed a survey around housing and development in Oxenhope. They ranked certain criteria from 0 to 10 (not important to very important). 'Design in keeping with local character' was the most important response with an average score of 8.6 out of 10. When asked what concerns people have around new development the 4th most important response was 'design not in keeping with local character' which scored 8.1 out of 10.

The term scale refers to the size of properties rather than the number of properties.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

SC4, DS1, DS2, DS3, DS4, DS5, HO9

Justification:

Oxenhope contains many important buildings, structures and monuments that are unlisted but still make a great contribution to the distinctive character of the area.

Throughout engagement and steering group meetings the contribution heritage assets makes to the village was cited as a priority for the plan to help address. In early 2018 a workshop was held looking at local heritage. The steering group nominated several key buildings for their historical and cultural significance. A deeper investigation was undertaken to identify any further unlisted heritage assets in the area, which were then subject to a local heritage assessment.

The assessment criteria and reasons for selecting these assets are included in the appendix at the rear of the Plan.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

PN1.E, EN3

Justification:

The facilities above play an important role in the life of the community by providing spaces for a variety of groups, societies and activities for residents and visitors. Their loss would be detrimental to the Village and their retention is therefore considered important. This policy aims to protect existing community facilities which provide a range of activities locally including sport and recreation, other interests and hobbies and help contribute to fostering community cohesion and promotes healthy and active lifestyles.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies: PN1.B, SC4

Justification:

Flood mitigation and SuDS where the 4th most important response when asked what principles should inform new development. 119 people responded to this question and the response scored 8 out of 10 in terms of importance.

When asked what concerns people have about new housing, flooding was the 6th most important concern scoring 7.6 out of 10, from 119 responses.

Leeming Water and Leeming Reservoir has flooded in recent years and Oxenhope contains built up areas within Flood Zones 2 and 3.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policy EN7 & NPPF Para 165.

Justification:

Footpaths are a distinctive feature in Oxenhope, connecting the different settlements throughout the Village and to the wider natural environment. They are highly valued and well-used by residents and visitors alike. Their maintenance and enhancement is important and the Village Council would like to use CIL money to better maintain this provision due to the restricted resources and competing priorities of CBMDC. Any proposed improvements will be considered in consultation with CBMDC Countryside and Rights of Way officers.

This was raised as an important issue by local school children and residents. The area's natural landscape was a key area of consideration raised at the initial public meeting and subsequent project team meetings.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

SC8, PN1.D & E, TR1.E, TR4, EN2.E

Justification:

In order to support local businesses, homeworkers and to provide a better service to residents, enhanced broadband services is in high demand for the village. The issue of enhanced broadband and communications infrastructure was raised at the initial issues and options meeting and again during the project group meeting on the local economy.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policy:

PN1.C, EC4.F, G & H

Justification:

We are in a climate emergency and the project group felt it was necessary to include a policy which signals the intention of the village to help address this by supporting renewable energy provisions where appropriate.

Eco-friendly houses were one of the most popular responses when people were asked what type of housing was needed in Oxenhope. 119 people responded to this question, and were offered 10 different house types/specifications. 44.5% of respondents said that eco-friendly houses were desirable.

Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability both scored highly when people were asked what principles should inform new development. They scored 7.6 and 7.3 out of 10 respectively.

This policy seeks to promote the use of small-scale and domestic renewable energy technologies whilst balancing the potential negative impact it might have on its setting or residential amenity.

The CBMDC Core Strategy does not currently identify any areas which are suitable for renewable energy and the NPPF states that wind turbines should only be located an areas identified in the Development Plan. The adopted Landscape Character SPD (2008) – Volume 3 Pennine Uplands; Gritstone Moorland & Mixed Upland Pasture clearly states that the moorland character would be affected by wind farm development. It is therefore encouraged that any proposed renewable energy technologies is located sensitively and that community consultation and visual impact assessments are undertaken.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

SC2, EN6, DS1, DS2

Justification:

Oxenhope contains 4 conservation areas; Lower Town, Upper Town, Station Road, and Leeming. These cover the majority of the built environment within the village core.

This policy seeks to encourage new development, extensions and alterations to be carried out sympathetically, to retain, and where possible enhance, the character of the village.

Homeowners and developers should always refer to the relevant Conservation Area Assessment and Appraisal to ensure its guidance and principles are followed and the key objectives are achieved.

The Oxenhope Design Guide should be referred to for guidance on design and development in the Conservation Area.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

SC8, PN1.D & E, TR1.E, TR4, EN2.E

4.2 HOUSING

The CBMDC Core Strategy Partial Review is in progress and is yet to be adopted. In the emerging Core Strategy Partial Review Oxenhope has been provisionally allocated 25 dwellings. This may be subject to change and the NDP will be updated to reflect any changes until the Core Strategy Partial Review has been adopted.

The policies contained in this section of the plan aim to ensure that new housing meets the needs of the local community and contributes to and reinforces the distinctive built environment.

The scope and content of the policies respond to the results of a local housing survey that was undertaken in 2017 and was completed by 119 residents. Whilst the survey highlighted some local opposition to housing, in general it was useful in identifying priorities for housing in the village and issues with the existing stock of housing.

AIMS / OBJECTIVES

• Secure the right types of homes to meet local needs
• Support for the provision of space to support home-working
• Be designed in a way that responds to the character of its area
• Homes built to high standards of environmental performance
• Promote housing built to Lifetime Homes and Building for Life standards to ensure properties are high quality and are suitable for occupants throughout their life
• New housing schemes to include green infrastructure, achieve biodiversity net gain, and preserve and connect with existing green infrastructure networks

Justification:

This policy seeks to ensure that new housing developments are designed to the highest standards and are built to meet the changing needs of occupants. Given the demography of Oxenhope and lack of housing specifically for older people or people challenged by mobility - it is important properties are designed in a way to support these needs. There is usually a small additional cost to build to these standards or to undertake an assessment. Several studies have concluded that the cost to build to Lifetime Homes standards is usually between £500 to £1,500 per dwelling. In some cases when designs incorporate these features at the initial design stage there is no additional cost. When retrofitting houses to these standards costs can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

DS1, DS3, DS4

Justification:

This policy seeks to ensure that new housing developments are designed and built to the highest standard of performance which can contribute to reducing energy consumption, improving the health and wellbeing of occupants and impact on the environment, including mitigating flooding.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

SC1, SC2, HO9

Justification:

Oxenhope, like many rural communities, is experiencing a rise in the number of people working from home. The Neighbourhood Plan is keen to support and encourage various types of economic activity including homeworking. When discussing the local economy the project group contains several members who regularly work from home, and know many more locally that increasingly work remotely from home. The impact of Covid-19 has meant more people are working from home, often in makeshift or substandard spaces. The RIBA Case for Space study has highlighted that home offices do not need to be in a dedicated spare room, but can be accommodated in habitable rooms with an additional 4sqm of space for a desk, storage, and chair.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

PN1.C, EC4.F, G & H

Justification:

The loss of green space was 2nd highest responses when people were asked what concerns they have about future development in Oxenhope. 119 people responded to this question and gave it a score of 8.4 out of 10. This policy seeks to ensure new development provides suitable green infrastructure provision to encourage the movement of wildlife, maintain the Bradford Habitat Network, and provide a net gain for Biodiversity. It is expected that CMBDC policies such as EN1 will determine the circumstances where loss of green space may be acceptable rather than this policy.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

SC2, SC6, SC8, PN1.D, EN1, EN2, EN4, EN5, EN8

4.3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

4.3.1 The economy of Oxenhope still relies on agriculture, as it has done for many centuries. Sheep and cattle farming are the main drivers of this sector as soil conditions are too poor to produce crops. There is a significant amount of uncertainty over the future of agriculture in Oxenhope, as there is many other parts of the country.

4.3.2 Tourism plays an important role locally with the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and Brontë County the main attractions in the area. Following the success of the Yorkshire leg of the Tour De France in 2014 Oxenhope has become a popular cycling destination. The Tour De Yorkshire comes through Oxenhope and each year there is the Cote De Oxenhope hill climb.

4.3.3 There is an increase in people working from home in line with national trends, particularly in rural areas.

4.3.4 There are relatively few local opportunities for employment, many residents commute to nearby towns or cities for work.

4.3.5 The plan seeks to protect the existing employment generating sites and encourages the development of appropriate new uses that do not negatively impact either the residential amenity of the natural environment and wildlife.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

• Retain existing employment sites
• Support key sectors such as agriculture & tourism
• Encourage new facilities to support self-employed / homeworkers
• Support new spaces of economic activity for appropriate uses

Justification:

There is no immediate suggestion that this site will become available. However, it is felt, as this is one of the biggest employment sites in the Village, it should be included in the Plan.

There are a limited number of spaces and buildings for economic activity in Oxenhope and the Neighbourhood Plan seeks to retain these buildings for this purpose to contribute to support local employment and the local economy. The majority of the working population commute to nearby towns and cities for employment.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

PN1.C, EC4

Justification:

There are a limited number of spaces and buildings for economic activity in Oxenhope and the Neighbourhood Plan seeks to retain these buildings for this purpose. Additionally this is the only convenience store in the village and it also hosts the post office which are both highly valued by residents.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies: PN1.C, EC4, EC5

Justification:

This policy is to be applied in sensitive areas such as those in, or within close proximity to the Pennine Uplands rather than the built up areas within the settlement boundary. The Neighbourhood Plan is keen to strike a balance between supporting and encouraging new and existing economic sectors whilst conserving and enhancing the local natural and built environment.

At the initial engagement event and the subsequent issues and options event it was explicitly stated that more should be done to support and encourage the local tourism economy. Parking was repeatedly raised in both the housing survey and the transport survey as being a key issues locally. Parking provision, traffic and congestion were the main issue when respondents were asked what issues there are with the existing housing stock with 19 responses. Parking provision was the 2nd most important response when asked what principles should inform new development, scoring 8.4 out of 10 in importance from 119 responses.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

PN1.C, EC4, SC8

Justification:

One of the biggest tourist attractions in Oxenhope is the heritage railway line. In recent years the railway line has sold over 100,000 tickets. This was raised at the initial public meeting and again at the subsequent issues and options meeting. It is felt the KWVR is a key asset to the village and should be supported to ensure its operation can continue and more people can enjoy the facility.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

PN1.C, EC4, SC8

Justification:

This policy aims to strike a balance between encouraging local economic development, especially in unused buildings, and protecting the distinctive character of the area, the visual amenity of the village and its wildlife and biodiversity. The idea for the policy arose in project group meetings when discussing the local economy and what could be done to support and encourage new economic sectors.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

PN1.C, EC4, SC8

Justification:

This policy strikes a balance between supporting the rural economy and protecting and enhancing the natural environment, the road network and the village's visual quality as a whole. Core Strategy policy SC8 will be applied where proposals may impact the foraging habitats of SPA birds. Given concerns about the future of agriculture the project group felt a policy in this area would give support to this important local sector. This issue was raised at the initial public meeting and at subsequent project group meetings.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

PN1.C, EC4, SC7, SC8, & NPPF Para 145.

4.4 LOCAL GREEN SPACES

Justification:

The loss of green space was the 2nd most important response when asked what concerns do you have about development in Oxenhope, scoring 8.4 out of 10. Steering group members discussed what could be done to ensure key green spaces continue to serve the community, and a list was drawn up. These proposed sites were filtered through NPPF para 100 criteria. Green spaces were raised as a key issue at all stages of engagement and consultation.

These sites were suggested by members of the community and steering group and have been assessed using the criteria set out in NPPF. The assessment of these spaces is included in the Appendix to the Plan.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policy

EN1.D & NPPF Paragraph 100

4.5 MOVEMENT & TRANSPORT

There are many challenges around movement and transport in Oxenhope. Being a rural community public transport opportunities are somewhat limited and many rely on private vehicles to get around.

Much of Oxenhope was designed and built before the invention of the car meaning there are many difficulties arising from vehicular movement around the village. Narrow roads and pavements can make it difficult for larger vehicles to negotiate and a lack of off-street parking in many homes can lead to unsafe and dangerous parking practices throughout the village.

Footpaths are an integral part of life in Oxenhope and help connect the different settlements and provide connections to surrounding villages and countryside.

Movement and transport were key issues raised during the engagement process. Many residents cited issues such as parking, narrow roads, lack of suitable pavement and poor maintenance of footpaths.Other issues include speeding vehicles, issues caused by HGVs using narrow lanes and the volume of traffic.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

• Promote sustainable transport methods
• Encourage walking and cycling
• Improve pedestrian and cycle network, including footpaths
• Promote best practice in terms of residential parking
• Reduce traffic and parking issues where possible

Justification:

A key theme arising from engagement is that there is currently a high amount of on-street parking in Oxenhope and residents are keen to ensure new development does not add to this issue. Some modern garages built in Oxenhope are not large enough to store vehicles which can lead to increased on-street parking. The 3.3m width of driveways is informed by Lifetime Homes standards which allows sufficient space for drivers/pedestrians to enter/exit vehicles, including wheelchair users. Internal dimensions of garages are informed by Manual for Streets and should give sufficient space for a vehicle to be stored, drivers to open the car door to enter/exit the vehicle and some storage space.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policy: TR2

Justification:

Oxenhope enjoys great access to existing walking networks throughout the Village, however there are many parts of the village which have a poor level of pedestrian and cycle infrastructure. The Plan seeks to address this issue and aims to secure improved footpaths and cycle ways.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

CS6, DS4, TR1, SC8

Justification:

A key theme arising from engagement is that there is currently an excessive amount of on-street parking in Oxenhope and residents are keen to ensure new development does not further add to this issue.

This policy references CBMDC Core Strategy Policies:

TR2