New Local Plan - Issues & Options (Regulation 18)

11. Design Quality

11.1 Government policy is clear that the creation of high quality, beautiful and sustainable buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and the development process should achieve. Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development and creates better places in which to live and work.

11.2 Since our current Local Plan was adopted in 2019, Government has placed greater emphasis in national policy on the design quality of new development and has published the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code.

11.3 The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act goes further by requiring every local authority to have a design code in place covering their entire area (once enacted by secondary legislation). These area-wide codes are expected to act as a framework for subsequent detailed design codes to come forward, prepared for specific areas or sites and led either by local planning authorities, neighbourhood plan groups or by developers. Through our approach to the new plan, we need to respond locally to the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code and the potential requirement for an area-wide design code for Harborough District.

11.4 Currently our adopted Local Plan 2019 contains a design policy setting out the expectation that all development should achieve a high standard of design quality to ensure it is both sustainable and attractive. It aims to safeguard and improve the character of the District and achieve well designed places that relate well to their environment, are attractive and safe, and offer an improved quality of life for those that live and work in the District. The District also has a Development Management SPD which includes guidance on design principles and advice on different types of development (e.g. residential, commercial and development in different circumstances).

11.5 The Local Plan also encourages neighbourhood plans to develop appropriate design guides, as they can take into account the special qualities of each area. Site specific master plans are also required for specific strategic developments allocated through the plan. These should meet the master planning requirements set out in the Local Plan and be informed by key design principles, an independent design review and community consultation.

11.6 Design guides and codes can be produced as part of a plan (e.g. local plan or neighbourhood plan) or as supplementary planning documents (SPD).

11.7 A design code is an illustrated set of design requirements which provides specific, detailed parameters (or rules) for the physical development of a site or area. It should build upon a design vision such as a masterplan or other design/development framework for an area or site. A design guide is less prescriptive or strict, providing guidance on how development can be carried out in accordance with good design practice.

Design Quality