Design Code sections

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The Design Code is split into five sections:

Nature - Nature is about creating and connecting parks, trees, gardens, waterways and other natural spaces across the borough. Together, these green and blue spaces form a network that supports wildlife, helps tackle climate change, improves health and wellbeing, manages rainwater, and makes places more attractive for people to live, work and visit.

Movement - Movement is about how people and goods travel to, from and around a place. Well-designed streets, paths and public spaces make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel, cycle, use public transport and access everyday services.

Public Space - Neighbourhoods require public spaces: they are the focal point of a community, where people can socialise, play and access nature. Public spaces can take many forms, including village greens, garden squares, small parks, formal town squares and play areas.

Built Form – The shape, size and arrangement of buildings contribute to the character of an area and how people feel about a place. Built form also considers how buildings relate to streets and spaces, creating clear public and private areas that feel safe, welcoming and well connected. It promotes the best use of land through a mix of uses and a variety of housing types.

Identity – The identity or character of a place comes from the way its buildings, streets, spaces, landscape and infrastructure work together, and how people experience them. It is not just about the buildings or how a place looks, but also how it feels and engages all the senses. Local character makes places distinctive and memorable, helping people to recognise where they are and find their way around. Well-designed places with a strong identity can create a sense of pride for people who live, work and spend time there. This helps to build and support strong communities and neighbourhoods.

The next part of this document provides more information on each of these sections.

The Design Code is split into five sections:

Nature - Nature is about creating and connecting parks, trees, gardens, waterways and other natural spaces across the borough. Together, these green and blue spaces form a network that supports wildlife, helps tackle climate change, improves health and wellbeing, manages rainwater, and makes places more attractive for people to live, work and visit.

Movement - Movement is about how people and goods travel to, from and around a place. Well-designed streets, paths and public spaces make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel, cycle, use public transport and access everyday services.

Public Space - Neighbourhoods require public spaces: they are the focal point of a community, where people can socialise, play and access nature. Public spaces can take many forms, including village greens, garden squares, small parks, formal town squares and play areas.

Built Form – The shape, size and arrangement of buildings contribute to the character of an area and how people feel about a place. Built form also considers how buildings relate to streets and spaces, creating clear public and private areas that feel safe, welcoming and well connected. It promotes the best use of land through a mix of uses and a variety of housing types.

Identity – The identity or character of a place comes from the way its buildings, streets, spaces, landscape and infrastructure work together, and how people experience them. It is not just about the buildings or how a place looks, but also how it feels and engages all the senses. Local character makes places distinctive and memorable, helping people to recognise where they are and find their way around. Well-designed places with a strong identity can create a sense of pride for people who live, work and spend time there. This helps to build and support strong communities and neighbourhoods.

The next part of this document provides more information on each of these sections.