The Essex Design Guide
The Essex Design Guide was established in 1973 by Essex County Council. It is used as a reference guide to help create high quality places with an identity specific to its Essex context. The preceding publication was released in 2005. The 2018 edition seeks to address the evolution of socio-economic impacts on place-making.
Emergency Services
This section highlights the strategic development principles from all three Essex Emergency Services and how to engage with them through the planning process.
Layout Details
Developments should be well connected, offering a variety of routes for all users while identify the relationship between the built environment and landscape.
Highways Technical Manual
This section contains the technical information for highways design. It should be read in conjunction with the other sections of this guide, in particular Streets and Roads and Parking
Air Quality
This section contains guidance and advise on air quality, referencing policy, tools and advice for improving air quality through plan making and planning applications.
Garden Communities
This section identifies the key design and planning principles to create new communities on a larger scale.
Parking Design Details
Well-designed car parking spaces should be well managed, safe, attractive environments.
Developers Contributions
The requirements to ensure appropriate levels of infrastructure and community benefit are delivered.
SuDS
Water conservation, water management and flooding is a high priority for Essex which is one of the driest parts of the country.
Built Context
Understanding the context and sense of place for any existing community a key principle to inform new development.
Architectural Details
Getting the architectural details right is critical to ensuring new developments are appropriate to the setting and context.
Essex Local Authorities
Click here to access the specific guidance, policies and context of each of the Essex Local Authorities.
Support
Contact Place Services for technical support and advice on the Essex Design Guide