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3.35. The NPPF (para 153) suggests that Plans should take a proactive approach to planning for climate change where policies should support appropriate measures to ensure the future resilience of communities and infrastructure to the impacts of climate change and flood risk. Para 159 directs development away from areas at risk of flooding and sustainable drainage systems should be put in place in new development which have maintenance arrangements in place to ensure an acceptable standard of operation for the lifetime of the development. 3.36. Detailed work has been undertaken to support the development of the Site at Wroslyn Road by Hydrock. 3.37. The Site is located within Flood Zone 1 and the land is at low probability of fluvial, surface water and ground water flooding. 3.38. Detailed systems have been designed into the development proposals for the Site to attenuate surface water with controlled discharge to the existing ditch and excess storm water being stored in an attenuation basin in the public open space within the site. 3.39. Foul drainage can be managed through a gravity system that will drain to a new pumping station within the public open space. As part of the previous application, Thames Water confirmed (appendix E) that the existing system can accommodate up to 50 additional residential dwellings. Beyond that, Thames Water would undertake modelling and, if appropriate expand the cap

3.52. The Government also has a National Design Guide and National Model Design Code which are in place to guide the design of development and Spitfire Homes are supportive of the principle of Design Codes/Design Guides to support development. In principle, the introduction of design codes and design codes would accord with national policy where NPPF paragraph 129 states that "Design guides and codes can be prepared at an area-wide, neighbourhood or sitespecific scale…"(our emphasis). 3.53. However, the development of such policies should be justified in terms of the specifics of the development that would justify the introduction of a site specific design code/guide that goes beyond the detailed guidance in the National Design Code. That design code contains detailed headings and guidance on matters of Context, Identity, Built Form, Movement, Nature, Public Spaces, Uses and Homes/Buildings, Resources and Lifespan and such detail need not be repeated in local policies if there is reference in the Local Plan to the National Design Code. 3.54. In addition, design codes/guides are not mandatory as set out in the NPPF, and the desire for such a policy tool to be utilised should not hold up development coming forward if such a tool is not in place. Further, even where introduced there needs to be some element of flexibility to allow developments to come forward even if they are not fully strictly in accordance with all criteria. Site specific matters and failure to comply with all criteria, where the alternative would not have detrimental impacts should not be used as a blanket reason to refuse development. 3.55. Freeland has a variety of building styles dating from various historical periods. The village is however predominantly 20th century development, punctuated with occasional historical buildings which are numerous enough to maintain a connection with the village’s origins. 3.56. The village sits within the Thames Vale Character area as identified in the West Oxfordshire Design Guide (2016). Whilst the historic elements of the village are subsumed by the extent of modern development, these buildings do have a presence and maintain the connection with the origins of the village. These buildings are predominantly derived from former agricultural uses and generally devoid of architectural embellishment. They are simple plan forms with steep pitched roofs, generally built in local stone with stone slates, occasionally red brick is used on later Victorian era buildings. Fenestration is simple with timber or stone lintols. Entrance doors are simply detailed with minimal embellishment. 3.57. Further to identifying the character and context of the settlement, the proposed development had regard to the National Design Code: • Context – the development has been designed taking into account its context on the edge of an existing and established village and the transitionary position of the site from the edge of the village to the open countryside. • Identity – the site has been designed to have its own identity in its layout and pattern of development, but in a manner which responds to the local character of the village in finish and design. • Built Form – the development has been designed so that access is possible directly to the village, access to the site is possible via the private car and public transport, and legibility through the site to accessible public open spaces for use by all as well as the additional allotments to serve the village makes the site easy to navigate internally. • Movement – as set out above, the site prioritises walking and cycling access to the site and throughout with pavements and pedestrian access through the site and around its perimeter giving access to the on-stie public open space, play area and community shop/café. This provides safe and suitable access for all. • Nature – the site incorporates and integrates natural spaces into its overall design including informal play space, play space, wildlife habitats and attenuation features that form part of the on-site open space. The existing trees are also retained as far as possible and the visual amenity of the site will be improved through the cabling of exiting overhead power cables. • Public Spaces – the development proposes a shop/café that will be accessible to the whole community, and the perimeter pedestrian path around the site encourages use by all. There is significant on-site public open space of varying typologies as referred to within this section. • Uses and Homes/Buildings – the proposed development comprises much-needed housing to meet local need within the District, including the provision of policy compliant affordable homes, which will be beneficial locally. A shop/café is also proposed that will provide a community facility not currently available in the village. • Resources – the development has been designed with a robust sustainability strategy and features included, as set out within this Planning Statement and explained in both the DAS and Sustainability Strategy accompanying the application. • Lifespan – the development has been designed with sustainability at the forefront of design, and measures included to ensure the longevity of the development. Its location on the edge of the village and the incorporation of on-site public open space, additional allotments and a community shop/café will contribute to the activity on the site and ensure it is utilised by the community and not solely accessed by those who live there.

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