Councils to trial local design codes

A group of 14 councils across England are to be given £50,000 each to develop new design codes, as part of a new government pilot programme.

The local authorities will take part in a six-month testing programme to apply the National Model Design Code (NMDC) in their area and help Britain Build Back Better, by making sure current and new residents alike will benefit from beautiful homes in well-designed neighbourhoods.

It is intended to provide councils with the guidance and parameters to shape new developments in a way which reflects what their communities truly want.

The measures mean the word ‘beauty’ will be prioritised in planning rules for the first time since the system was created in 1947 – going back to a previous time when there was a greater emphasis on whether a building was considered attractive to local people.

The government recently consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to take this forward, alongside the draft NMDC.

‘We should aspire to enhance the beauty of our local areas and pass our cultural heritage onto our successors, enriched not diminished,’ said housing minister, Christopher Pincher.

‘In order to do that, we need to bring about a profound and lasting change in the buildings that we build, which is one of the reasons we are placing a greater emphasis on locally popular design, quality and access to nature, through our national planning policies and introducing the National Model Design Code.

‘These will enable local people to set the rules for what developments in their area should look like, ensuring that they reflect and enhance their surroundings and preserve our local character and identity.

‘Instead of developers forcing plans on locals, they will need to adapt to proposals from local people, ensuring that current and new residents alike will benefit from beautiful homes in well-designed neighbourhoods.’