Planning policy guidance

• Biodiversity and Planning SPD (adopted March 2023)
• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) SPD (adopted October 2021)
• Annexes and Outbuildings SPD (adopted October 2021)
• Self-build and Custom Housebuilding SPD (adopted April 2021)
• Green Infrastructure SPD (adopted April 2021)
• Trees and development sites SPD (adopted April 2021)
• Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) SPD (adopted April 2021)
• Householder Design Guidance SPD (adopted March 2021)
• Barn Conversion Design Guidance SPD (adopted March 2021)
• Landscape Character Assessment SPD (adopted April 2025)
  • part 1 (chapters 1 to 4)
  • part 2 (chapters 5 to 13)
  • part 3 (appendices A to D, annexes 1 and 2)
  • consultation statement
  • consultation responses
  • adoption statement
• Residential Parking Standards SPD (adopted December 2013)
• Shopfronts and Advertisements design guidance SPD (adopted April 2012)
• Local list of buildings SPD (adopted March 2008)
• Design checklist SPD (adopted August 2007)
• Development in the green belt SPD (adopted May 2007)

• CIL and S106 SPD (adopted March 2021)
• Waste Collection: guidance for new developments SPD (adopted March 2020)
• Renewables SPD (adopted November 2014)
• Telecommunications network infrastructure SPD (adopted August 2005)

• East of Harry Stoke New Neighbourhood Development Framework SPD (adopted May 2016)
• Cribbs/Patchway New Neighbourhood Development Framework SPD (adopted March 2014)
• Emersons Green East development brief SPD (adopted October 2006)

• Affordable Housing and ExtraCare Housing SPD (adopted April 2021)

The programme for new documents is set out in the local development scheme and consultation drafts may be available to view.

A list of SPGs that have been adopted by the council is set out in appendix 4 of the local development scheme 2007-2009. Due to their age most SPGs are only available in hard copy , please contact us for further information.

• biodiversity and planning process
• planning and the Forest of Avon
• waste audits

The following Technical Advice Notes have been published to support the determination of planning application:

• Parking survey (February 2022)
• Vacant buildings (January 2022)
• Understanding heritage assets (June 2016)
• Heritage statements (September 2018)
• Written scheme of investigation for archaeology (May 2015)
• Assessing residential amenity (June 2016)
• Public art advice note (June 2024)

The council has endorsed the following village design statements prepared by local communities

• Olveston
• Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath
• Watleys End
• Winterbourne Down

The council has adopted the Golden Valley Mill, Bitton concept statement.

​

• West of England planning toolkit
• West of England technical guidance: Councillor Involvement in large scale and complex planning applications

The four West of England authorities and the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) have jointly published this toolkit to promote a more positive and consistent approach to handling large scale and complex development proposals – one where the authorities, developers and stakeholders work together to deliver high quality planning applications and effective decision taking. It has been produced because a streamlined and collaborative planning system is key to securing the investment needed to protect and enhance the environment and enable sustainable economic growth

• West of England Strategic GI Framework
• Living Streets

A guide to the design of informal home zones in new development

• Guidance on Rural Affordable Housing Exception Sites

The West of England’s Planning, Housing and Communities Board has ratified the following guide:

• Sustainable Drainage Developer Guide

The council has endorsed the Patchway Town Centre Vision:

• A vision for Patchway Town Centre (May 2014)

Guidance on planning and noise

• Specific Guidance Note 1 – Planning and Noise (adopted March 2015)