“Living with Beauty”

The Government is “consulting” (Closing date 15 March) on important changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to incorporate ideas in the “Living with Beauty” report (see below) and on its ideas for design codes.

These proposals follow on from the ‘Planning for the Future’ consultation which attracted criticism from around the country and a mini rebellion in the Commons.

A Civic Voice newsletter has links to all the documents. It emphasise the need for as many people as possible to take EDDC’s consultation on the Local Plan – Options and Approaches seriously and respond to it. Closing date 15 March.

National Planning Policy Framework and National Model Design Code: consultation proposals

In response to the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission report, the government has launched a consultation to seek views on draft revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework. The text has been revised to implement policy changes in response to the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission “Living with Beauty” report.

In response to the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission report, the Government has announced:

• It will publish a draft national design code setting out clear parameters of good design and a simple process for local communities to define what buildings in their areas should look like
• Create an Office for Place within the next year which will pioneer design and beauty within the planning system
• Provide £4 million for the community-led housing fund, in addition to extra funding for successful areas under the heritage campaign
• Propose changes to the planning framework to place greater emphasis on beauty and placemaking

A number of other changes to the text of the Framework are also set out and explained in this consultation document, but at the time of sending this update, we do not believe that government is proposing a review of the National Planning Policy Framework in its entirety at this stage. A fuller review of the Framework is likely to be required in due course, depending on the implementation of the government’s proposals for wider reform of the planning system.

In addition to the NPPF consultation, the government has published a new National Model Design Code that outlines the design standards new developments are expected to meet. This provides a checklist that will guide local councils to create their own, unique, local design code.  This consultation is also seeking views on the draft National Model Design Code, which provides detailed guidance on the production of design codes, guides and policies to promote successful design.

Key items:

• The press notice can be found here
• The consultation can be found here
• The draft National Model Design Code can be found here

The National Model Design Code guidance notes can be found here