Help shape the design of our towns and villages

South Norfolk and Broadland District Councils have appointed Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design to prepare a design code to improve the quality and consistency of planning design across both local authority areas.

National planning legislation makes it clear that all local planning authorities should prepare their own design guides or codes that meet the principles set out in national design guidance and that reflect local character and design preferences.

Design codes should provide a framework for creating beautiful, successful places. A design code is a set of specific and unambiguous design requirements for the physical development of a site or an area, graphically illustrated and set out in a clear format.

The code for Broadland and South Norfolk will place particular emphasis on the quality of landscaping, the character of local buildings and the use of distinctive materials.

South Norfolk Councillor Lisa Overton-Neal said:

"We are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country and it's our responsibility to protect the qualities that make South Norfolk unique. A design guide will help us ensure that new homes fit in with existing houses and enhance the district."

Broadland District Councillor Martin Booth said:

"Broadland has a rich social history and is home to some outstanding buildings. Housing growth is essential in our district, and a design guide will allow us to have a say in how the homes of the future will look."

The two councils are inviting comments from members of the public on what the Broadland and South Norfolk design code should include as priorities, and what currently works well and not so well in the districts, in design terms.

Take part in the consultation until 5pm on Monday 2 September.

Following this initial round of public engagement, feedback will be used to identify a set of priorities for the design code, which will be presented for a second round of consultation later in 2024.

Published: 22 July 2024