Design Code - Consultation 2

PLEASE NOTE, THIS CONSULTATION HAS NOW CLOSED. THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT UP FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY

An authority-wide design code is being prepared for Central Lincolnshire. A design code is a tool to help shape places by improving the quality of buildings and spaces for residents, businesses, and visitors. There are three main stages of consultation that will take place during the production of the Central Lincolnshire Design Code.

Further background information about the Central Lincolnshire Design Code can be found  here. 

Consultation two is the second stage of formal public consultation on the Central Lincolnshire Design Code. Following the Stage 1 consultation in Autumn 2024, the responses have been read and analysed (please see ' Stage 1 Engagement Report '). A draft Vision and seven draft Design Principles have been developed to improve the quality of design across Central Lincolnshire. These will apply to development within both new and existing communities.

Design codes need to be based on an analysis of the area covered. The purpose of the analysis is to understand the area and inform a vision of how a place will develop in the future that will, in turn, form the basis for the code. This analysis is called a “baseline” and for Central Lincolnshire this can be viewed by clicking the link below.

A Vision is a statement of the overall ambition of a Design Code and what it intends to achieve. It sets the broad goals of the Design Code and provides a framework for the Design Principles, Coding and Guidance that will all be in the Design Code.

The Design Code Vision needs to be aspirational and set the context for the subsequent development of the code. The Vision should set out the specific aims for the Design Code.

It is important that a Vision is developed with the input of the local community. As such, a programme of engagement has been undertaken over the previous months, including the Stage 1 consultation which took place from 10 September to 22 October 2024.

This, along with the baseline analysis, has provided a good understanding of Central Lincolnshire’s strengths and weaknesses, and what the Design Code’s priorities should be. These priorities will inform an overarching Vision and Design Principles as part of the published Design Code.

At this stage, the proposed draft Vision is:

The Central Lincolnshire Design Code will ensure development creates prosperous places, adapts to climate change, improves nature, and promotes health and well-being. Developments will reflect local distinctiveness beyond their site boundaries. This design code aims to raise the quality of both the built and natural environment, thereby improving the quality of life for everyone.

 _{"The fundamental thing that it seems to me any design code and indeed the function of planning is, is to make lives better"} 

The Design Principles sit below the Vision and provide more detail into the themes that will ensure the Vision is delivered. They will then provide the framework for the coding and guidance within the Design Code.

The Design Principles will inform and guide the design of new development to achieve an improvement in the overall quality of design across Central Lincolnshire, contributing positively to it being an attractive place to live, work and visit. The draft Design Principles are set out below.

Each is accompanied by a short description of early ideas for what might be included in coding and guidance, to provide an indication of the direction of travel for the Design Code. These may be subject to change as the Design Code is progressed.

Development proposals in Central Lincolnshire will consider the context outside of the site boundary when designing and planning within it. Designs will account for local character, existing natural and manmade features, heritage assets, architectural details, landscaping, boundary treatments, important views, and other elements to ensure the design aligns with the context. This will result in schemes contributing positively to place-making and the local distinctiveness of our communities.

At this stage, it is envisaged that the Design Code may include code and guidance on the following areas:

• Undertaking a site appraisal and demonstrating an understanding of the site and surrounding area.
• Consideration of views.
• Considering existing evidence when assessing context, such as Conservation Area Appraisals.
• Use of materials.

Natural neighbourhoods are communities where green infrastructure and nature, and the multitude of benefits they bring, are at the heart of every scheme. This involves incorporating natural landscaping as a priority, well connected green networks, multi-functional open spaces, wildlife habitats and corridors, and improving access to nature. Through thoughtful, well-planned landscaping, developments will improve biodiversity, improve water management, reduce the risk of overheating, and benefit physical health and mental wellbeing. This will deliver happy and healthy neighbourhoods for all.

At this stage, it is envisaged that the Design Code may include code and guidance on the following areas:

• What good green infrastructure looks like and the process for integrating green infrastructure into new developments.
• How to increase greening in urban areas to improve the provision of green infrastructure.
• Cost effective design features to help support wildlife, for example, bee bricks, bat box and hedgehog highways.
• Retaining existing trees and hedgerows.
• Providing new trees, hedgerows, landscaping and planting.

In Central Lincolnshire, good open spaces are accessible to all, inviting, safe and feel safe, facilitate social interaction, thoughtfully integrate nature, and encourage healthy and active lifestyles that benefit physical and mental health. They are visually attractive and interesting, and meet the needs of the community they serve. Spaces will be multifunctional, providing a variety of opportunities for play and activity for different ages and abilities.

At this stage, it is envisaged that the Design Code may include code and guidance on the following areas:

• Location of open space in new development and connectivity with existing open spaces.
• Open space design such as entrances, boundaries, lighting, furniture, wayfinding, opportunities for social interaction, and surveillance.
• Delivering high quality play areas and what features they should include. 

Through appropriate design choices, development proposals will be resilient to the impacts associated with climate change including extreme weather events such as high levels of rainfall and heatwaves. This will result in creating adaptive, resilient communities that can withstand and thrive despite environmental challenges. Design choices will also deliver energy efficient buildings and prioritise materials with low embodied carbon as well as taking opportunities to reduce and recycle where possible.

At this stage, it is envisaged that the Design Code may include code and guidance on the following areas:

• Location and positioning of solar photovoltaic panels on buildings.
• Location and screening of air source heat pumps.
• Providing shading and cooling.
• Ventilation measures.
• Slowing the rate of water run-off.
• Inclusion of permeable materials.
• Rainwater harvesting and rain gardens.
• Sustainable Urban Drainage systems. 

Development proposals will increase ease of movement and connectivity within the sites and their surrounding area. Streets will be designed to be more accessible and user-friendly, promoting and prioritising active travel options such as walking and cycling, whilst also increasing the usage of public transport wherever feasible. All users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicular traffic, will be able to navigate the area comfortably, efficiently, and safely.

At this stage, it is envisaged that the Design Code may include code and guidance on the following areas:

• General layout principles – connectivity, permeability and walking.
• Good cycling infrastructure and design considerations.
• Street design – safety, accessibilty, prioritising pedestrians, ease of navigation.
• Vehicle parking – principles for locating parking spaces, parking space dimensions, on street and off-street parking design.
• Improving and extending the existing network of walking and cycling routes, and how to integrate existing network into new developments.
• Integration of public transport.

In Central Lincolnshire, well-designed homes and buildings are functional, accessible, inclusive, and sustainable. They provide attractive environments that support the health and wellbeing of their users. These buildings will be fit for their purpose and adaptable and will include well-planned services and internal layout that allows for easy and comfortable operation.

At this stage, it is envisaged that the Design Code may include code and guidance on the following areas:

• Private and communal garden space.
• Safe and easy access to buildings.
• Providing natural daylight.
• Waste bin storage and access.
• Bicycle storage and access.
• Working from home space.

Development in Central Lincolnshire should deliver healthy and inclusive places by creating compact and connected neighbourhoods that encourage community interaction and active lifestyles, and reduce health inequalities. Inclusive design will consider the needs of all ages and abilities, ensuring equal access to spaces that support communities.

At this stage, it is envisaged that the Design Code may include code and guidance on the following areas:

• Designing safe public spaces and walking and cycling routes.
• Access to sporting activities/infrastructure.
• Encouraging physical activity in external spaces.
• Designing healthy buildings which encourage physical activity.

National guidance on preparing design codes suggests one approach to design codes is to define ’area types’ across all or some of the area to be coded. Area types are parts of a local area that share common features and characteristics that can be used to set code or guidance at different scales. It is not a mandatory requirement to define area types, but instead one way in which local authorities may wish to structure their design codes.

Further information about area types can be found on the Central Lincolnshire Design Code website, which can be viewed  here. 

Following the first round of consultation, detailed consideration has been given to defining area types for the Central Lincolnshire Design Code.

Central Lincolnshire is a large geographic area with diverse landscape and townscape characters and many settlements. This makes it difficult to classify the area into a few, distinct area types, as allowed for by national guidance.

The Central Lincolnshire Design Code will help individual district councils, communities, and developers prepare design codes for specific sites, areas, or neighbourhoods. Therefore, it is proposed that the Central Lincolnshire Design Code will be applied across the entirety of Central Lincolnshire, focusing on common design issues and opportunities to improve design in development across the area. It may identify coding and guidance that would specifically apply to certain development types or different sizes of developments, rather than area types. Examples of development types can include house extensions, conversion to housing, new homes, offices, industrial units, and focusing only on large schemes for some requirements. 

For this Stage 2 Consultation, we sought your views on:

1) The Vision Statement

2) The Design Principles

3) Proposed approach to Area Types; and

4) The Baseline  

This consultation ran for six weeks between Wednesday 26 February 2025 and Wednesday 9 April 2025.

PLEASE NOTE, THIS CONSULTATION HAS NOW CLOSED AND THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT UP FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY