Policy VC2: Gardens and Verges

1. The important contribution to the character of Langham made by front gardens must be considered in any planning application to ensure that the open character of the garden and the green and lush features of the village’s street scene is retained.

2. Special protection must be afforded to those gardens of listed buildings including, but not limited to:

• a. the land surrounding the Manor House;
• b. the grounds of the Old Hall;
• c. the front garden of The Limes.

3. All trees are afforded protection in the Conservation Area of Langham with Article 4 Direction. Felling or excessive work will require planning permission.

4. There are certain trees in Langham Village that are afforded additional protection and these cannot not be felled or damaged without the instruction of the Forestry Commissioner. These include:

• a. those on RCC’s list of trees with Tree Protection Orders;
• b. the trees in Royale Ranksborough Parks and along Ranksborough Drive;
• c. trees at the junction of the A606 and Ranksborough Drive.

5. Whilst all ancient hedgerows and verges must be maintained, special attention will be paid to the conservation of :

• a. the remaining hedge that defines the Planned Limits of Development of the village;
• b. the hedge and verge of Penman’s Field;
• c. the northern verge on Manor Lane near Ashwell Road;
• d. hedges that feature as frontages to gardens, public footpaths and roads that help define the character of the street.

Policy SG1: Housing Allocation

In order to provide moderate and controlled growth for Langham in line with government and local housing targets Langham, as a Local Service Centre, will provide 47 dwellings over the life of this Plan. Of that number, historical data suggests that windfall sites in Langham will deliver 15. There is outline consent for 18 homes on a preferred site which means the residual housing figure to be planned for is 14 dwellings to 2041. More than this overall number would fundamentally alter the character of the 650-home village and is not acceptable.

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Policy SG2a: Meeting Housing Needs

Any development of three or more dwellings must provide a range of house types, sizes and tenures to meet the general and specialist needs for housing in Langham which will include the following demographic groups:

• a. the elderly, who may need smaller homes where adaptability, accessibility and energy efficiency are paramount;
• b. families who require larger homes to meet changing household needs;
• c. those who need high quality but affordable homes to enable them to live/work locally;
• d. those who need support to acquire a home and may choose to have rental accommodation;
• e. those whose physical ability requires a high level of accessibility throughout the home.

All developments of 3 houses or more must include 30% affordable homes

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Policy SG2b: Gypsy & Traveller Sites

Gypsies and Travellers form part of the Langham community and as such must be held to the same planning rules as everyone else.

As families grow and move away from home, pitches on existing sites will be made available to accommodate them – up to the point that the site is full. No expansion of the site or additional site will be accepted as an automatic obligation to accommodate growing families.