On this page: Information about Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG).
The purpose of the Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) is to amplify policies and proposals of the adopted Swindon Borough Local Plan 2011 by providing additional information upon which planning applications can be formulated and determined. Under a revised planning system introduced under the 2004 Planning Act, the Borough Council has also published Supplementary Planning Documents
Please see also: Development Control Guidance Notes.
Adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance
The guidance is contained in a series of downloadable PDF files:
Archaeology
The SPG provides guidance to developers, architects, agents and landowners where their development proposals impact on archaeological remains.
Buildings of Significant Local Interest
The SPG sets out the criteria for assessing proposals affecting buildings of significant local interest.
Community Forest
The SPG seeks to ensure that, where applicable, the aims and objectives of the Community Forest are incorporated into development proposals. Any financial contributions required as part of the development would be negotiated in accordance with Policy DS8 of the Revised Deposit Draft Local Plan on a case-by-case basis.
Conservation Areas
The SPG provides the background to the designation of the Borough's conservation areas and to list the architectural, historic and environmental elements that have formed the framework for the Council's 'conservation area appraisals'.
Developer Contributions to Education Facilities
The Borough Council, as Local Education Authority (LEA) must ensure that sufficient school places are provided to meet the needs generated from significant planned additions to the housing stock. The SPG sets out the thresholds for contributions from qualifying developments.
Good Design - House Extensions
The SPG aims to promote high standards in the design of house extensions and deals with all types of extensions, including conservatories and porches, and freestanding ancillary buildings such as garages. It replaces a previous SPG published in 1992, it was considered important that the guidance be updated as around 60% of the applications for planning permission received each year by Swindon Borough Council are for house extensions.
Landscape Character Areas
The SPG highlights the main characteristics of each of the Borough's Landscape Character Areas that should be addressed when considering development proposals within them, in accordance with Policy ENV10 of the Revised Deposit Draft Local Plan. The adopted SPG has been amended to provide greater emphasis to the landscape importance of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Additional text has also been added to require, where appropriate, the restoration of former landscape features where these would benefit the landscape and its wildlife and ensuring that existing wildlife habitats, and sites that adjoin, abut or link these with other wildlife habitats, are conserved and where possible enhanced.
Listed Buildings
The SPG provides advice on the repair and alteration of listed buildings, including the use of appropriate materials, and the detailed design of individual features.
Noise and Residential Development
Certain issues, such as the growing tendency to seek previously developed land for residential development, has become more prominent since the Local Plan was adopted in 1999. This has warranted additional advice for developers that will assist in protecting future residents from noise sources. The SPG has been produced to assist decisions and provide further certainty to developers over what the Council would expect from them.
Open Space and New Housing Development
The SPG has been produced to provide guidance on open space and new housing development pending the adoption of the Swindon Borough Local Plan 2011. It includes guidance on how requirements are assessed and calculated and the process for the delivery and subsequent maintenance of new open spaces.
Calculating open space contributions outside the Strategic Development Areas can be determined by using Tables 7 and 8 (below), as detailed in the open space and new housing development SPG.
The Provision of Public Art
The Provision of public art has become more widespread and commonplace. Public art is a principle of improving the changing environment through the arts, and is a term given to the practice of involving artists in the conceptions, development and transformation of public space. The SPG sets out the Borough Council's role to achieving the provision of public art.
Tree Protection on Development Sites
Trees have a particularly important role to play within the landscape. Their retention within a development can enhance its appearance and give character. This SPG provides guidance in respect of the preservation of appropriate trees within development schemes.