PLACEHOLDER – The use of design codes is a relatively new and emerging tool in planning policy, a national pathfinder programme, has been established to help raise the quality of the built environment in local areas. Case studies will be added as examples used to improve the food environment are implemented.
Design Codes
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) highlights that all local planning authorities should prepare design guides or codes consistent with the principles set out in the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code which reflect local character and local design preferences (para 133). Furthermore, the National Model Design Code is the primary basis for the preparation and use of local design codes (para 138).
As methodologies are only beginning to be devised, now is the time to identify how characteristics of a healthy food neighbourhood can be incorporated into design.
The National Model Design Code together with the accompanying Guidance Notes cover the following elements of good design relating to the food system:
- Private and communal open space design.
- Allotments and community growing: need to consider community growing projects for food production, learning and community engagement on large developments.
- Inclusion of communal open spaces in new developments to promote the health and wellbeing of residents.
- Local shops: The design code needs to provide guidance for the design of and access to local shopping facilities.
- Principles of Public Space Design with provision for markets which are focal points at the heart of the community.
The National Design Guide is for:
“Local authority planning officers, who prepare local planning policy and guidance and assess the quality of planning applications”.
It should be used if no local guidance exists on design when determining planning applications. Paragraph 91 states,
“Well-designed places:
- Provide attractive open spaces in locations that are easy to access, with activities for all to enjoy, such as play, food production, recreation and sport, so as to encourage physical activity and promote health, well-being and social inclusion.
Case studies
Masterplans
Site specific policies and guidance can be set out in masterplans or development frameworks. They provide the opportunity to illustrate how relevant Local Plan policies will be implemented to bring forward major development sites. These documents will show the detailed layout and design of development and consider how infrastructure will be delivered.
Case study
St Cuthberts Garden Village, Carlisle
St Cuthbert’s Garden Village was accepted into the Government Programme in January 2017. Garden Cities are not a new concept, with the first garden city (Letchworth Garden City) in the UK dating back to the late 19th century. The original principles include ‘opportunities for residents to grow their own food, including allotments’. St Cuthbert’s Garden Village has the principles which include ‘Healthy Environments’, the vision of ‘promoting healthy lifestyles’ and the ‘thriving communities’ objective of creating the opportunity for people to grow their own food.
The garden village forms part of the green and blue infrastructure delivery strategy, moving from the high-level strategy in the masterplan to developing detailed evidence. Food growing in the plan has been recognised as one of the multifunctional uses of green spaces, promoting healthy lifestyles to fulfil Carlisle’s ‘Healthy City’ ambitions. The Strategic Design SPD will help guide early applications in the Garden Village:
https://www.stcuthbertsgv.co.uk/DESIGN-SPD
https://www.stcuthbertsgv.co.uk/MASTERPLAN
Case study
Calderdale Local Plan adopted 2023
Policy IM7 on masterplanning lists criteria which are expected to be achieved in master plans for garden suburbs and mixed-use, housing and employment allocations. The Council also expects Design and Access Statements to include evidence that the criteria set out under the bullet points in this policy have been considered in preparing an application, where applicable. Together, these criteria would lead to healthier neighbourhoods. Specifically, the following criteria relate to a healthy food environment:
Appropriate community facilities and services to serve the new development (including local shops, community halls, schools and health facilities).
Facilitate opportunities for local/community led food production either through the provision of dedicated spaces such as allotments, growing space within gardens or food based communal landscaping.
https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-12/Local-Plan-Written-Statement.pdf