Guidelines

1) Landscape and layout

a. New development should:

i) respect the existing layout pattern of the village;

ii) protect existing views to the surrounding countryside and hills;

iii) generally set houses back from the road edge;

iv) make provision for cars away from the front of houses. Garages and car parking, whether singly or in blocks, should not obscure house fronts;

v) use porous materials in the construction of hard-standings to minimise surface run-off;

vi) incorporate separate foot- and cycle-ways where appropriate.

b. Goring supports the provisions in the Local Plan which restrict development outside the built-up area of the village.

c. In new and existing developments, the public utility companies should:

i) respect and preserve the rural character of the village in the design and siting of installations;

ii) erect fences and plant vegetation to screen junction boxes, transformers, etc.;

iii) use underground rather than overhead cables whenever possible.

d. In respect of landscape and wildlife new development should:

i) include landscape provision for planting locally native broadleaf species of trees where they can grow to maturity;

ii) preserve or replace existing trees, hedges and other wildlife habitats.

2) Building design and details

a. New dwellings should be designed and built with a simple and straight forward approach using good quality new materials.

b. New housing developments should include variations to avoid monotonous repetition of one design whilst maintaining an overall style.

c. New buildings should reflect the proportions of those nearby. Existing building lines should not be altered without consideration of the resulting spatial effect.

d. Reference should be made to locally distinctive details. These should be matched to chosen building forms avoiding a mixture of styles or historical references in the same building.

The Birches

e. Modern usage of traditional materials should be encouraged but modern materials, such as glass and steel, should not be excluded provided that they are sympathetically employed to fit within their environment.

g. Chimneys are prominent in the village, especially on older properties. Many have decorative brickwork. They should continue to feature on new buildings where appropriate.

h. Simple pitched or half-hipped roofs are preferred. These give rise to gable ends with scope for embellishment by patterned tiling and bargeboards.

i. Where brick is the chosen material for walls, the colour and texture should respect the local material which sets the tone for much of the village.

An example of carefully chosen replacement windows

a. S.O.D.C.'S 'A Design Guide to House Extensions' is commended.

b. Brickwork should be retained in its original style, characteristically unpainted. Consideration should be given to the use of matching second hand bricks where appropriate. Repointing should be carried out using mortar coloured to match the original.

c. When windows and doors are replaced it is important to retain the design and glazing pattern corresponding to the period of the house.

d. Porches are attractive features of many older houses and cottages in the village, generally tiled over a decorated wodden frame. New porches should be in proportion and in keeping with the main building.

The old malthouse has been restored and converted for use as office

f. Sympathetic consideration should be given to applications for the discreet modernisation of properties and improvement of energy efficienty, including those within the Conservation Area.

g. Where planning permission is granted subject to conditions, these should be strictly adhered to.

4) The riverside

Oxfordshire County Council and the Environment Agency should appoint a local agent to restore and maintain the riverside area between Ferry Lane and the Lock.

Residents are concerned about the appearance of the riverside and its lack of facilities in the Lock area. The Environment Agency is encouraged to make provision for residents and visitors alike. The toilet block should be rebuilt in a manner appropriate to the setting.

The consultation process has underlined residents' fears about road safety in Goring. The fundamental road framework of the village must be retained in keeping with its character. However, the prospect of further growth in traffic causes concern. Traffic speed should be restrained by traffic calming measures which are sympathetic to the character of the village, such as a 20 mph limit through the narrow part of the High Street.

In addition, the responsible authority should:

a. Ensure that existing footpaths and bridleways are well maintained and that pram and wheelchair access is provided where safe, with stiles replaced by gates where feasible.

b. Promote greater overall coherence in the design and siting of street furniture while reducing the quantity and improving the quality of street fittings.