What is a Design Code?
A Design Code is a set of simple, concise, design requirements for new development in an area, The government’s National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that all local planning authorities must prepare them.
The Design Code will establish a set of rules which all new development in the borough must adhere to through the planning process. It will help raise the quality of development across the borough as a whole and help ensure design proposals are directly informed by the character of distinct areas. Some examples of the aspects that design codes can cover include parameters for building height, parking provision and green or open space amenity.
The Council has appointed an experienced team led by Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners and is currently engaging with local community groups to understand their priorities for design, local character, and new development in the borough.
We want local people to help steer what the Design Code says and want to encourage as many people as possible from across the borough to input and feed into the process from the outset. You can have your say by completing the online survey here.
Community Design Panel
Are you interested in shaping the character of your local area? Would you relish the opportunity to help craft the rules for future development?
We are looking to set up a Community Design Panel that will meet four or five times during the Design Code project to steer, test and review the emerging content. We need this Panel to be as representative as possible to ensure the Code is meaningfully and locally informed. Throughout Stage 1 we will be identifying local representatives to sit on this new Panel.
If you have thoughts or suggestions, you can send them through at any point to the Design Code project email address: Design_Code@sandwell.gov.uk
