B1.1.1 Undertaking a Site Appraisal Assessment
Code: C1.1
Applicants must carry out a Site Appraisal Assessment that identifies and analyses the physical and environmental characteristics of the site.
The Site Appraisal Assessment must:
be unbiased, balanced and based on factual information
be structured to align with the stages of the design process, prioritising the key considerations needed to create a well-designed place for both people and nature
demonstrate an understanding of the site within its local and wider context, taking into account both opportunities and constraints
demonstrate a clear assessment of the topics set out in ‘List 1 Site Appraisal Assessment’, relevant to the scale of the proposed development
Exception: Minor developments need only to assess the indicated fields (must assess), with further considerations referenced in G1.1 which are highlighted as guidance (should consider).
Guidance: G1.1
When preparing a Site Appraisal Assessment, applicants should also consider the listed additional topics set out in ‘List 1 Site Appraisal Assessment’, which are relevant to the scale of the proposed development.
Exception: Householders are not required to submit an assessment; however, the listed topics should still be considered as indicated to ensure that new proposals will create a positive design.
List 1: Site Appraisal Assessment
Assessment topics applicable to development type/scale: Householder applications
existing green networks (such as trees, hedgerows, woodland, scrubland, including natural habitats for ecology and biodiversity) should be considered
existing blue networks such as waterways, ponds, sustainable drainage systems, swales, rivers, canals, and rain gardens, including natural habitats for wildlife and ecology, should be considered
existing landform, topography and levels, including ground conditions, should be considered
environmental impacts (such as land quality, noise, flood risk, air and water quality, microclimates (wind), site orientation in relation to the sun path and areas of shade) should be considered
history and heritage of the site, including the historic character and layout of the site and immediate surroundings, and any other specific features (such as boundary walls, mature trees and hedgerows) that merit conserving, protecting and enhancing should be considered
key views in and out of the site which need to determine if there are any local or wider features to consider for visual impacts or preservation next to or near the site should be considered
boundaries and sensitive edges, considering any sensitive uses or special areas which must have specific design details or requirements (such as landscape, waterside, heritage assets, sites of ecological importance, or areas of open urban green space) should be considered
existing land uses, considering adjacent developments or uses in relation to the site (such as open space, local facilities, residential areas, or employment uses) should be considered
existing built forms, including layout, heights, scale and massing, should be considered
Assessment topics applicable to development type/scale: Minor residential and minor employment applications
existing green networks (such as trees, hedgerows, woodland, scrubland, including natural habitats for ecology and biodiversity) must be assessed
existing blue networks (such as waterways, ponds, sustainable drainage systems, swales, rivers, canals, and rain gardens), including natural habitats for wildlife and ecology, must be assessed
existing landform, topography and levels, including ground conditions, must be assessed
environmental impacts (such as land quality, noise, flood risk, air and water quality, microclimates (such as wind), site orientation in relation to the sun path and areas of shade) must be assessed
history and heritage of the site, including the historic character and layout of the site and immediate surroundings, and any other specific features (such as boundary walls, mature trees and hedgerows) that merit conserving, protecting and enhancing must be assessed
key views in and out of the site which need to determine if there are any local or wider features to consider for visual impacts or preservation next to or near the site should be considered
boundaries and sensitive edges, considering any sensitive uses or special areas which must have specific design details or requirements (such as landscape, waterside, heritage assets, sites of ecological importance, or areas of open urban green space) should be considered
existing land uses, considering adjacent developments or uses in relation to the site (such as open space, local facilities, residential areas, or employment uses) must be assessed
access, movement, and accessibility, considering how the site will connect to existing movement corridors or networks to avoid disconnected cul-desac designs, and how it will be inclusive and accessible for all users of the development must be assessed
existing pedestrian, equestrian and cycle routes, considering if there are opportunities to connect to existing public rights of way, such as bridleways, footpaths or other public access routes. Byways, Bridleways, or Public Rights of Way, natural routes or to create new routes for people to use to encourage active travel and leisure opportunities in and around the site should be considered
existing local facilities and public transport routes and identifying how far people will need to walk to access these and whether there are shops near the site should be considered
existing built forms, including layout, heights, scale and massing, should be considered
Assessment topics applicable to development type/scale: All major developments (residential, employment, other)
existing green networks (such as trees, hedgerows, woodland, scrubland, including natural habitats for ecology and biodiversity) must be assessed
existing blue networks (such as waterways, ponds, sustainable drainage systems, swales, rivers, canals, and rain gardens), including natural habitats for wildlife and ecology, must be assessed
existing landform, topography and levels, including ground conditions, must be assessed
environmental impacts (such as land quality, noise, flood risk, air and water quality, microclimates (such as wind), site orientation in relation to the sun path and areas of shade) must be assessed
history and heritage of the site, including the historic character and layout of the site and immediate surroundings, and any other specific features (such as boundary walls, mature trees and hedgerows) that merit conserving, protecting and enhancing must be assessed
key views in and out of the site which need to determine if there are any local or wider features to consider for visual impacts or preservation next to or near the site must be assessed
boundaries and sensitive edges, considering any sensitive uses or special areas which must have specific design details or requirements such as landscape, waterside, heritage assets, sites of ecological importance, or areas of open urban green space must be assessed
existing land uses, considering adjacent developments or uses in relation to the site (such as open space, local facilities, residential areas, or employment uses) must be assessed
access, movement, and accessibility, considering how the site will connect to existing movement corridors or networks to avoid disconnected cul-desac designs and how it will be inclusive and accessible for all users of the development must be assessed
existing pedestrian, equestrian and cycle routes, considering if there are opportunities to connect to existing public rights of way, such as bridleways, footpaths or other public access routes. Byways, Bridleways, or Public Rights of Way, natural routes or to create new routes for people to use to encourage active travel and leisure opportunities in and around the site must be considered
existing local facilities and public transport routes and identifying how far people will need to walk to access these, and whether there are shops near the site must be assessed
existing built forms, including layout, heights, scale and massing, must be assessed