2. Caring: Master Planning

Deepening of the 1994 Cornwall Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) undertaken as part of
the Langarth Masterplan

Ideal outcomes

• Thoughtful contextual design of major new developments. This will respect, reinforce and, where appropriate, create local distinctiveness.
• Reduction in negative effects on landscape character while positive ones increase.
• Master planning creates sustainable places that are of Cornwall, not ‘anywhere-places’. Sensitive design supports the well-being of future communities. Achieved by emphasising the unique aspects of the places they interact with.
• Appropriate expertise consulted early to assess distinctiveness within the master plan area. This assessment should inform master planning. The assessment is one of several baseline surveys. These surveys should also include the natural environment and other place-based disciplines.Together they form a comprehensive Context Appraisal.
• Master plans respond to Context Appraisals of their areas.
• Investigating the distinctiveness of the area concerned includes deepening existing characterisations of its historic landscape.

Things to consider

• The Cornish Distinctiveness Assessment Framework should be used alongside other guidance. It should provide links to local perspectives and evidence.
• National Design Guide,
• Cornwall Design Guide,
• Building in context: new development in historic areas (designcouncil.org.uk)
• Streets for All,
• Historic England’s Places Strategy helps draw such guidance together. It also explains the public benefit of heritage-oriented master planning.
• Every part of the environment contributes to its distinctiveness and sense of place. Consider assets not already protected through formal designations.
• Distinctiveness can be threatened by ‘one size fits all’ approaches to master-planning. These can include sustainability, inclusivity, and biodiversity net gain initiatives. These can all respond to local distinctiveness in ways that increase benefits.
• Wide consultation is essential. Different views and perspectives contribute to understanding. This helps to quantify the distinctiveness of an area.

Approaches and resources

• Include a distinctiveness assessment at the pre-master planning stage.
• During site selection, consider Historic England’s Site Allocation advice note.
• Characterisation and Assessment will help to identify and define assets and landscapes.
• Develop urban codes to guide design. These can draw on and reinforce local distinctiveness.
• Settlement Studies, the Cornwall Interactive Map and the Historic Environment Record can all provide information and interpretation of the historic environment.
• Distinctiveness combined with Characterisation will help identify authentic neighbourhoods and identities.
• Understanding the impact of the climate and the natural environment. Both will have contributed to distinctive natural systems like drainage and shelter. Repair and sustainable regeneration may help you recreate and extend biodiversity.
• The following contain policy approaches and guidance tailored to specific areas of Cornwall. They support the conservation and enhancement of Cornish distinctiveness.
  1. Cornwall’s Local Plan and Design Guide
  2. Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans
  3. Neighbourhood Plans
  4. The Cornish Mining Landscape World Heritage Site
  5. Cornwall and Tamar Valley National Landscape Management Plans
• Section 106 Agreements can reduce negative effects of a development on heritage.
• Coordinate approaches to maximise benefits for all aspects of the environment and landscape.