How Design Codes work

  • The entire content of this DQF applies to the whole City of Nottingham, for every type of development.

  • All planning applications are expected to meet all the Design Codes criteria. If for technical reasons it is not possible to meet specific criteria, evidence must be submitted to demonstrate the issue.

How a scheme achieves Design Code compliance

  • Schemes failing to comply with more than 50% of the criteria will be recommended for planning refusal.

  • Schemes complying fully with 50% to 80% of the criteria will be strongly advised to address the design issues highlighted by the appraisals in order to reach an acceptable level of compliance, or face potential recommendation to refuse.

  • Schemes complying fully with more than 80% of the criteria will have to demonstrate with robust evidence why each of the failing criteria was not met.

  • The City Council will appraise compliance with the Design Codes using the Compliance Appraisal forms at every stage of the planning process (pre-app and planning submission).

This diagram indicates the course of action for planning submissions according to Design Code compliance.

 

How Design Codes were developed

  • The Design Codes in this DQF were implemented initially as Design Guides (2018-2020).

  • The Design Guides were built up through an extensive Engagement Programme involving authorities, academia, industry, businesses and communities. More than 5000 people took part in the process.

  • All the Design Guide criteria were piloted in practice for 6-12 months to ensure practical applicability prior to being formally adopted.

  • Design Guides were implemented for at least 5 years prior to being elevated to Design Code status. This was to ensure they served to secure higher design quality without slowing down, preventing, or hindering development or viability.

  • The compliance appraisal forms were tested during the Engagement Programme, and it involved assessors of all backgrounds and abilities, including school children. The results demonstrated surprising consistencies in the scoring of schemes, which validated the reliability of the appraisal forms.

Design Codes will become planning policy

  • The Design Codes will form part of the next iteration of the Local Plan (2026)

  • The Design Codes will be reviewed every five years on the basis of their currency and performance as development quality tools.

For any queries or to seek clarification, please get in touch.