Learning from Northstowe – how to get the best out of design codes

Urban designer Joanne Preston, part of the Built and Natural Environment Team, has written a paper on design codes drawing on the Planning Service’s experience at Northstowe.  

The use of design codes to support the delivery of high quality places is receiving much attention, with the proposed National Model Design Code part of the Government’s agenda to reform the planning system as set out in the white paper, ‘Planning for the Future’. 

Joanne’s paper consolidates lessons learned from experience of using design codes on Phase 2A of Northstowe new town and reflects on how design codes were negotiated, reviewed and applied for development that used modular construction methods. She draws out some important lessons for future design coding of new developments and the Planning Service is already implementing these as part of our ongoing work with future phases on our new settlements.