Our evaluation of the application of the DQF Housing and New Streets Design Guides has shown that non-compliance with the criteria in these guides consistently results in significant planning delays (4 to 20 weeks) and additional design work when schemes need to be re-designed several times in order to achieve compliance. By following the best practice advice on this page, developers can ensure a speedy and smooth planning process.

A GOOD DESIGN PROCESS

When appraising schemes in pre-application and planning stages, Nottingham City Council needs to understand how designers thought about placemaking. Here is a step by step guide of how we think best designs are achieved:

1. Conduct a good site analysis: walk the site systematically to identify constraints and opportunities. Demonstrate how these informed the proposals.

2. Identify key assets: existing trees, views, level changes, links, access points, etc.

3. Maximise key assets: shown in a diagram what you are retaining/incorporating and how you are integrating these to the design.

4. Set the street structure: define main access points and the street pattern and hierarchy and how this will work with water management systems.

   • Avoid dead ends; cul-de-sacs will not be accepted, in the rare occasions when these are necessary, they should provide pedestrian and cycle connectivity.

   • Look at the New Streets Design Criteria to become aware of how to achieve a good street hierarchy by managing dimensions and street types. Schemes where all the streets are the same width and have wide radii will not be accepted.

   • Decide what will be adopted by the Highways authority and what will be private, and illustrate this clearly; Nottingham City prefers to adopt as much as possible.

   • Think about drainage NOW; Nottingham prefers sustainable drainage systems.

5. Locate green/recreation spaces: preferably in a central zone so that these are accessible to all and form the heart of the community. Think about equipping these spaces with natural play elements, benches, areas of shade, footways, etc.; a large grass field will not suffice.

6. Group dwellings in parcels: achieving a density that is adequate for the context and making sure the grouping method results in an efficient use of land to achieve larger useful and productive green/recreation spaces. Look at the Housing Design Criteria to ensure gaps, frontages, parking etc are the right size.

7. Consider services: Illustrate waste collection routes and points, communal bin storage etc. Nottingham City prefers bin collection from the front of the property (in dedicated storage) rather than bins located in rear gardens, especially for terrace housing.

8. Create character: combine landscape and architecture to create diversity within the development; create end views positioning key buildings at the end of streets; ‘walk’ the site in your mind imagining what it would feel like being there and amend the design if necessary.

9. Think about placemaking: defining the key details that will make places work for people, such as traffic calming, making green-blue features accessible and enjoyable, places to meet, places to play, bringing nature and wildlife into the site, foraging opportunities and so on.