area that the Parish sits within as Valleys’. Key characteristics ‘Secluded of this area evident within the parish include: Enclosed, secluded character. Steep sides, concave narrow valley form. Steep upper slopes forming and abrupt break of slope with Wold Tops landscape. Complex interlocking valley / ridge forms. Extensive bands of deciduous ancient woodland along valley rims. 6.6.5.2 Key priorities for action identified for this character area include: Ensure that careful and stringent planning controls on the siting and design of new development are provided to maintain the character of this landscape type and to protect the AONB landscape. Encourage continued protection of important wildlife habitats. Protect remnant pastures and small woodlands both on the valley sides and valley floors within more urban pressured areas. 6.6.6 Evidence - Local Plan 6.6.6.1 The Stroud District Local Plan seeks to: Minimise the impact of development on biodiversity and sensitive landscapes by prioritising sites that lie outside of the Cotswolds AONB, focusing development on brownfield sites within the Stroud Valleys. Limit development in order to the separate identity of ‘protect settlements and the quality of the countryside (including its built and natural heritage).’ (Core Policy CP15). Avoid the coalescence of towns and villages and to retain their individual character. These areas should be protected to retain visual and physical separation. Protect the built and natural heritage through: Policy ES7 – Landscape Character; Policy ES8 Trees, hedgerows and woodland; – (Policy ES13 Protection of existing open space). – Within the Cotswolds AONB, or on land that affects its setting, priority will be to the conservation and enhancement of the natural and scenic beauty of the landscape whilst taking account of the biodiversity interest and the historic and cultural heritage. (Policy ES7 – Landscape Character). Ensure seeks where appropriate to enhance and ‘development
area that the Parish sits within as ‘Secluded Valleys’. Key characteristics of this area evident within the parish include: Enclosed, secluded character. Steep sides, concave narrow valley form. Steep upper slopes forming and abrupt break of slope with Wold Tops landscape. Complex interlocking valley / ridge forms. Extensive bands of deciduous ancient woodland along valley rims. 6.6.5.2 Key priorities for action identified for this character area include: Ensure that careful and stringent planning controls on the siting and design of new development are provided to maintain the character of this landscape type and to protect the AONB landscape. Encourage continued protection of important wildlife habitats. Protect remnant pastures and small woodlands both on the valley sides and valley floors within more urban pressured areas. 6.6.6 Evidence - Local Plan 6.6.6.1 The Stroud District Local Plan seeks to: Minimise the impact of development on biodiversity and sensitive landscapes by prioritising sites that lie outside of the Cotswolds AONB, focusing development on brownfield sites within the Stroud Valleys. Limit development in order to ‘protect the separate identity of settlements and the quality of the countryside (including its built and natural heritage).’ (Core Policy CP15). Avoid the coalescence of towns and villages and to retain their individual character. These areas should be protected to retain visual and physical separation. Protect the built and natural heritage through: Policy ES7 – Landscape Character; Policy ES8 – Trees, hedgerows and woodland; (Policy ES13 – Protection of existing open space). Within the Cotswolds AONB, or on land that affects its setting, priority will be to the conservation and enhancement of the natural and scenic beauty of the landscape whilst taking account of the biodiversity interest and the historic and cultural heritage. (Policy ES7 – Landscape Character). Ensure ‘development seeks where appropriate to enhance and
wr-ndp-final-plan-document.docx