B1.1.1 Undertaking a Site Appraisal Assessment
Code: 1.1c
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 1.2g which are highlighted as guidance (should consider).
Guidance: 1.2g
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, levels, and 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 (including any local or wider features relating to visual impacts and preservation requirements) should be considered
boundaries and sensitive edges (including any sensitive uses or special areas such as landscape, waterside, heritage assets, sites of ecological importance, or areas of open urban green space) which have specific design details or requirements should be considered
existing land uses (including 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, levels, and ground conditions must be assessed
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) must be assessed
history and heritage of the site, informed by consultation with the West Yorkshire Historic Environment Record to identify designated and non-designated heritage assets (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 (including any local or wider features relating to visual impacts and preservation requirements) should be considered
boundaries and sensitive edges (including any sensitive uses or special areas such as landscape, waterside, heritage assets, sites of ecological importance, or areas of open urban green space) which have specific design details or requirements should be considered
existing land uses (including 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 (including how the site will connect to existing movement corridors or networks to avoid disconnected cul-de-sac designs, and how it will be inclusive and accessible for all users of the development) must be assessed
existing pedestrian, horse riding and cycle routes (including if there are opportunities to connect to existing public rights of way, bridleways, footpaths or other public access routes (such as natural routes, or to create new byways, bridleways, or public rights of way) to encourage active travel and leisure opportunities in and around the site) should be considered
existing local facilities, shops, and public transport routes (including the distance people will need to walk to access these) 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, levels, and ground conditions, must be assessed
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) must be assessed
history and heritage of the site, informed by consultation with the West Yorkshire Historic Environment Record to identify designated and non-designated heritage assets (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 (including any local or wider features relating to visual impacts and preservation requirements) must be assessed
boundaries and sensitive edges (including any sensitive uses or special areas such as landscape, waterside, heritage assets, sites of ecological importance, or areas of open urban green space) which have specific design details or requirements must be assessed
existing land uses (including 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 (including how the site will connect to existing movement corridors or networks to avoid disconnected cul-de-sac designs and how it will be inclusive and accessible for all users of the development) must be assessed
existing pedestrian, horse riding and cycle routes (including if there are opportunities to connect to existing public rights of way, bridleways, footpaths or other public access routes (such as natural routes, or to create new byways, bridleways, or public rights of way) to encourage active travel and leisure opportunities in and around the site must be assessed
existing local facilities and public transport routes (including the distance people will need to walk to access these) must be assessed
existing built forms (including layout, heights, scale and massing) must be assessed