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Phase 3: Testing, exhibition, and presentation of design code

As part of phase 1 and phase 2, the consultation has now received 188 online surveys, 15 full and 53 short in-person surveys, as well as 126 comments on the interactive map.

Detailed analysis of our findings from phase 2 can be found in the results document attached below.

The online engagement has been supplemented by in-person surveys in the local area, together with three workshops.

Using the information we have collected from you, we have produced five principles intended to guide better and more sustainable design in the local area.

Building on the results of the surveys and comments, each of these principles will be backed up by further, more specific and detailed guidance in due course. This guidance will be a combination of mandatory requirements and recommendations. 

The five principles

Each principle will be illustrated in the code with an artist’s hand drawing.

The hand drawings are intentionally not showing any one single place, but draw together some characteristics from different places in the neighbourhood to help us visually explain the principles. 

Five principles diagram

Five principles diagram
Make Space for Nature design image, including: Encourage Climbing Plants, Make space for Wildlife, Retain Existing mature trees, Make space for wildlife, Encourage planting on front gardens, solar shading with trees, encourage green roofs, encourage community ownership, SUDS and continuous green networks, encourage appropriate hedgerows, improve wayfinding markers, encourage natural play and retain exisiting green verges

1) Make space for nature: Provide design guidance for access to and conserving green space, tree planting, hedge planting, and sustainable urban drainage to absorb rainwater within natural planted areas.

Priorities which emerged from phase 2:

  • managing existing trees and planting more
  • improving access and safety of green spaces
  • retaining green roadside verges
  • promoting sustainable urban drainage – storing and absorbing rainwater run-off
  • encouraging hedgerows/planting in appropriate locations
Prioritise Walking and Cycling design image, including: Prioritising legible and connected cycle routes, access to care clubs/shares, improved access to bus stops, prioritising pedestrian routes, downgrading road infrastructure, routes with lighting, separated footways and cycle paths, retrofitting cycle storage near homes, speed reduction on residential streets, cycle stands near retail

2) Prioritise walking and cycling: Promote creating a safe joined-up network for walking and cycling that can be combined with green space and nature.

Priorities which emerged from phase 2:

  • segregated footways and cycle paths
  • prioritising key pedestrian and cycle routes that are legible, safe and connect homes to key destinations
  • cycle locking stands near shops
  • routes with lighting and visibility from surrounding homes
  • better crossing points and speed reductions near shops and schools
Thriving Public Spaces design image, including: reduce dominance of large car parks, easy to access facilities, local involvement of green space, comfortable spaces to sit outside, re-purpose leftover space, natural play, improved public realm, improved 'back of house' appearance

3) Thriving public spaces: Provide guidance for well-integrated public spaces and local community facilities next to homes that can help to support businesses and bring people together.

Priorities which emerged from phase 2:

  • comfortable spaces to sit outside (for example cafes and outdoor activities)
  • spaces for older children and teenagers
  • spaces and facilities that are convenient and easy to get to
  • areas to play near family homes for younger children
  • more local involvement (for example community gardening/orchards)
Enhance Character design image, including: memorable buidlings act as focal points, varied rood lines, conservation of historically important spaces, improved public realm, mixed homes for different generations, easy to access facilities, affordable homes, opportunities to improve existing buildings, natural surveillance

4) Enhance character: Promote strengthening the green and leafy character of the area, maintaining gentle scale, and providing a mix of homes suitable for different generations. The single most important characteristic of the neighbourhood is its people.

Priorities which emerged from phase 2:

  • taking opportunities to improve quality of building design
  • maintaining a mix of homes for different generations, including homes for older people
  • opportunities for repair/reuse/recycle cafes and other facilities lacking in the area
  • improve natural surveillance by facing entrances and windows onto streets and green spaces
  • maintaining or enhancing character that is formed by buildings set within landscape
Increase Sustainability design image, including: Low embodied energy new builds, green roofs on new builds, EV charging for new builds, air source heat pumps for existing buildings, passivhaus principles for new builds, dual aspect and natural ventilation, PV on existing buildings, fabric upgrades for existing buildings, PV on new builds, ev charging for existing public buildings

5) Increase sustainability: Promote access to public transport and provide sustainability guidance for both new buildings, as well as the improvement of existing ones.

Priorities which emerged from phase 2:

  • locating solar/photovoltaic panels
  • considerations on external insultation and cladding
  • promoting green planted roofs for new buildings
  • natural ventilation and ‘dual aspect’ homes
  • solar shading and overheating

Next steps

We are now working with the planning service and specialist consultants to coordinate the detail and technical sections, present and test the code.

A draft will be made available online in February 2024, where there will be an opportunity to leave feedback.

Once finalised, the document will be put forward for formal consultation and adoption by the council.

Phases

Phases overview
Phase 3: Testing, exhibition, and presentation of Design Code

Phase 3: Testing, exhibition, and presentation of Design Code

13 November 2023 - 12 February 2024

Sharing our findings so far

We are using results from our previous surveys to help us prioritise the detailed parts of the code. We are now working with the planning service and specialist consultants to coordinate the detail and technical sections of the code.

A draft will be made available online in early 2024.

Workshop

Our next event is at Meadows Community Centre on Wednesday 15 November from 4 to 7pm.