Residents in East Riding will lead the way in shaping the future design of their neighbourhoods under a under a trailblazing new design programme, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced today (Friday 11 March).
As part of the government’s plans to level up for communities across the country, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has been awarded £160,000 to help residents set their own standards for design in their local area, which could include architecture, building materials, standards for sustainability and street layout.
Under the proposals, East Riding of Yorkshire Council will produce a design code covering the whole authority, with a particular focus on guidance around flood mitigation in the areas most at risk.
Design codes are a collection of design principles that will guide local areas to deliver more beautiful, sustainable and liveable places and communities – such as specifying the use of local building materials or deciding the layout of streets.
Housing Minister Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP said:
“We want to give local people, including those in the East Riding, power over what their neighbourhoods look like and make sure all new developments enhance their surroundings and preserve local character and identity.
“Whether that’s choosing red brick for new buildings in our industrial heartland cities or choosing to set standards for sustainability for newbuild homes, our Pathfinder Programme will help turn visions of greener, more beautiful homes and places into standards which developers adhere to.”
Councillor Claire Homes, portfolio holder for planning, infrastructure and housing at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
“This is really great news that the East Riding has been chosen by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to take part in this pilot scheme and it also reflects the hard work and dedication of the council’s planning department that we are just one of 25 areas selected to be involved.
“We are looking forward to being part of this design code pathfinder programme and creating guidance for the East Riding which will set a bar for new development coming forward and making sure proposals are fit for 21st Century living while respecting the special character of our area.”
The design codes produced by these areas, will then be used as examples that communities across the country can draw on to produce their own, with support from the Office for Place.
The Design Code Pathfinder Programme, in line with the missions set out in the Levelling Up White Paper, will empower communities to demand the creation of development they can be proud of, with many projects focusing on regeneration of neighbourhoods and town centres.
The 25 areas, which will share £3 million funding, will produce design codes that will shape new development to deliver thriving town centres, green infrastructure, new walking and cycle routes.
The National Model Design Code (NMDC), published last year, will help guide selected local councils and neighbourhood planning groups on important design features such as street character, building type and layout, and use of public space.
Last year, the Office for Place supported 14 local councils and communities to set standards for design in their area, using the National Model Design Code.