The publication of the new National Planning Policy Framework and National Model Design Code brings forward an increased focus on the importance of design in developments.
Annabel Keegan, Associate in our placemaking team, highlights the key proposals affecting local authorities and developers.
National Model Design Code (NMDC)
Published on 20th July 2021 by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), this code sets out new standards of beauty, quality and design for all new developments.
Building on the 2019 National Design Guide, it is intended to inform local design guides and codes or, in the absence of local guidance, act in their stead. It places local communities at the heart of plans to make sure that new developments reflect the history and unique character of their areas and are beautiful and well-designed.
The code places great weight on Manual for Streets and Manual for Streets 2, which continue to represent good practice on street design and which our own Phil Jones co-produced. Government has recently commissioned an updated version of Manual for Streets, which will replace both documents. Phil is a member of the CIHT Project Board for the update and we will keep clients informed on progress over the coming months.
Street trees are “a core part of [the government’s] vision for enhancing the quality of urban development”. NMDC provides guidance on incorporating trees into new development, while revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework also require new streets to be tree-lined (more on the National Planning Policy Framework below).
Updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
The NPPF has been revised to implement policy changes in response to the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission “Living with Beauty” report and incorporate the increased focus on design. Paragraph 110 is of particular relevance requiring the design of streets, parking areas, other transport elements and the content of associated standards reflects current national guidance, including the National Design Guide and the National Model Design Code. This has long been an approach pioneered by PJA where the importance of achieving quality design has always held equal importance to delivering engineering solutions to meet client needs.
Another key update to the NPPF is in Paragraph 131 which requires that planning policies and decisions should ensure that new streets are tree lined unless there are clear, justifiable and compelling reasons why this would be inappropriate. The focus on the integration of trees into the street scene is to be strongly welcomed and provides opportunities for enhanced green infrastructure and more innovative drainage solutions however will require careful design and stakeholder engagement to ensure solutions that are compatible with highway requirements and do not result in overly onerous commuted sums placed on developers.
If you need more advice on how these proposals will affect your developments, then please get in touch. PJA not only helps shape national design policy, but is also behind some of the UK’s best design-led places which enhance local character, provide a sense of place and put people first.
Made up of some of the UK’s leading engineers, transport planners, urban designers and landscape architects, we work together to achieve the best results.
Find out more about our services here
Sign up for more news from PJA here
