A Design Code is a document that helps to establish clear requirements on the development of high quality places, including homes, commercial buildings, public realm spaces, streets and green spaces. It includes specific and detailed information on how architects, developers and planners should go about designing different types of buildings and spaces, including illustrations of the types of features and details that are most appropriate to the local area.
Design Codes have been created for a range of places across the UK. In each case, the team creating them carefully considers the local environment and built heritage, as well as future ambitions for a place to establish rules that enhance and celebrate local identity while ensuring high quality contemporary standards for design and development.
The Design Code provides guidance and requirements across a range of scales of development. For example, it will include requirements for the development of streets and public realm spaces, supporting more inclusive, safe and enjoyable outdoor spaces. It will also provide requirements for the creation of high quality new buildings, including houses.
This work builds on the National Model Design Code, published by the UK Government, which sets out guidance on the creation of area specific Design Codes across the county.
Why are Blackpool Council developing a design code?
Local planning authorities are required to create a Design Code as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. Blackpool Council has been awarded funding by the UK Government’s Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government as part of the 2024/2025 Design Code Pathfinder programme and has appointed a multidisciplinary team led by
Maccreanor Lavington to develop the Design Code in conversation with local communities.
The Blackpool Design Code will be used to help support the delivery of a range of positive outcomes for the local area, by providing guidance that better ensures high quality design and development. This includes:
- Enhancing the local character and distinctiveness of the historic town of Blackpool by encouraging and supporting design that contributes to and celebrates this heritage.
- Delivering a diverse offer of quality homes and helping to create strong stable thriving and sustainable neighbourhoods.
- Maximising opportunities to develop a greener Blackpool, contributing to urban cooling, sustainable drainage, increased biodiversity, connectivity and health and well-being.
- Responding to Blackpool’s Climate Change Emergency by delivering climate resilient homes and neighbourhoods and delivering on net zero ambitions set out in the Blackpool Climate Change Emergency Action Plan.
How long will the process take?
The development of the Blackpool Design Code will take place over three stages:
Stage 1 - Scoping
October to December 2024
During this first stage, the project team will undertake a wide range of analysis to better understand Blackpool’s urban and architectural form, heritage, challenges, and opportunities. This will include developing an initial set of themes that set out the scope of the Design Code - the particular geographic areas it will focus on and the types of buildings and spaces it will provide guidance for.
Stage 2 - Vision
December 2024 to January 2025
Reflecting the findings of the Scoping process, this stage focuses on drafting a design vision and principles that sets out what the Design Code will aim to achieve. This includes consideration of the types of guidance that the Design Code will provide for different types of buildings and spaces.
Stage 3 - Drafting the Design Code
January 2025 to May 2025
In the final stage, the project team will incorporate everything they have learned about Blackpool, and the design vision and principles in writing the final Blackpool Design Code.
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