Colour Study

Early in 2021 we published our “Colour guide” – two comprehensive documents which together analyse and identify the colours of the North Wessex Downs landscape and provide advice on colour selection and material use for any developments. The aim of the Colour Guide is to minimise potential negative impacts of development on the character of the AONB by providing information and support to those involved in any aspect of the planning and development process.

The Survey is a reference document illustrating the collection of colours from each landscape character type (including existing buildings) using the Natural Colour System

The Guidance includes developed palettes of colour appropriate to a range of building materials and finishes, which will help integrate new development into a specific landscape type.  It also includes a series of colourways – examples of how colours, selected from the developed palette, can be combined to harmonious and interesting effect.

The purpose of these documents is to provide direction and guidance on the selection and use of colour for building development within the AONB. ‘Development’ includes any building work, ranging from home extensions to mass house building, agricultural premises to office buildings. It also includes infrastructure developments associated with transport, power generation and distribution, communications and other utilities.

The Colour Guide is for use by anyone considering or proposing development within the AONB, including landowners, property owners, developers, agents, advisers, architects and landscape architects. It is also intended to support local authority planning staff and neighbourhood planning groups.

Jem Waygood of Waygood Colour carried out the Environmental Colour Assessment for the AONB over the course of 2019. Jem visited all landscapes in person to identify colours as perceived by the human eye.