Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher has announced that a new National Model Design Code (NMDC) is being tested to make sure new developments are well-designed, fit in with local character, and are locally-led.
What is the National Model Design Code?
The National Model Design Code sets out design considerations which local planning authorities will be expected to take into account when developing local design codes and guides and when determining planning applications.
It gives local planning authorities a toolkit of design principles to consider for new developments, such as street character, building type and façade as well as environmental, heritage and wellbeing factors. It is intended to provide councils with the guidance and parameters to shape new developments in a way which reflects what their communities truly want.
Where does the National Model Design Code affect?
The new national design code is being tested across 14 areas of England, including Mid Devon, in a 6 month testing programme, helping the Build Back Better initiative and making sure current and new residents alike will benefit from beautiful homes in well-designed neighbourhoods.
The 14 areas ensure a geographical spread and a range of development types, including an urban conservation area with industrial heritage, town centres, new neighbourhoods, rural settlements and urban regeneration sites, with each receiving a £50,000 grant to carry out the project.
The measures mean the word “beauty” will be prioritised in planning rules for the first time since the system was created in 1947.
Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said: “We should aspire to enhance the beauty of our local areas and pass our cultural heritage onto our successors, enriched not diminished.
In order to do that, we need to bring about a profound and lasting change in the buildings that we build, which is one of the reasons we are placing a greater emphasis on locally popular design, quality and access to nature, through our national planning policies and introducing the National Model Design Code.
These will enable local people to set the rules for what developments in their area should look like.”
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