The National Model Design Code has now been published and provides detailed guidance on the production of design codes, guides and policies to promote successful design. It expands on the ten characteristics of good design set out in the National Design Guide, which reflects the government’s priorities and provides a common overarching framework for design

A design code is a set of simple, concise, illustrated design requirements that are visual and numerical wherever possible to provide specific, detailed parameters for the physical development of a site or area. This guide is a toolkit to guide local planning authorities on the design parameters and issues that need to be considered and tailored to their own context when producing design codes and guides, as well as methods to capture and reflect the views of the local community from the outset, and at each stage in the process.

The National Model Design Code should be read as part of the National Design Guide, and alongside the planning practice guidance notes referenced in Part 3 of the National Design Guide, Manual for Streets, and other forthcoming guidance relating to the natural and environmental characteristics of development.

The National Planning Policy Framework expects local planning authorities to develop local design codes or guides, taking account of the National Design Guide and the National Model Design Code. For Local Planning Authorities in Essex, the Essex Design Guide provides a series of resources which respond to the criteria included within the National Model Design Code, setting out a series of clear design parameters to help local authorities and communities decide what good quality design looks like in their area, based on local aspirations for how their area will develop, following appropriate local consultation.

To help achieve this, the table below highlights the key content links between the National Model Design Code and how these are addressed within the Essex Design Guide.

 

Model National Design Code		Essex Design Guide Relevant Sections
Context
C.1.i	Character Types	Character and context
C.1.ii	Site Context	Understanding Context
C.1.iii	Site Assessment	Built Context
C.2.i	Historic Assessment	Historic Context
C.2.ii	Heritage Assets	Historic Context - see resources table for each Essex LPA
Movement
M.1.i	Street Network	Streets and Roads
M.1.ii	Public Transport	Transport and Active Travel
M.1.ii	Street Hierarchy	Street Design
M.2.i	Walking and Cycling	Pedestrian and Cycle Movement
M.2.ii	Junction and Crossings	Vehicle Movement in Residential Areas
M.2.iii	Inclusive Streets	Active Design Principles
M.3.i	Car Parking	Accommodating the car
M.3.ii	Cycle Parking	Cycle Facilities
M.3.iii	Services and Utilities	Services
Nature
N.1.i	Network of Spaces	Successful Criteria for Public Open Spaces
N.1.ii	OS Provision	Key Principles of Public Open Spaces
N.1.iii	Design	Key Principles of Public Open Spaces
N.2.i	Working with Water	Flood Management; Local Principles
N.2.ii	SuDS	The Drainage Hierarchy
N.2.iii	Flood Risk	Flood Risk Assessment
N.3.i	Net Gain	Ecology and Biodiversity
N.3.ii	Biodiversity	Ecology and Biodiversity
N.3.iii	Street Trees	Street Trees
Built Form
B.1.i	Density	Appropriate Densities
B.1.ii	Party Wall	Sound Insulation
B.1.iii	Types and Forms	Indicative House Types and Building Forms
B.2.i	Blocks	Urban Grain
B.2.ii	Building Line	Continuity of Frontage
B.2.iii	Height	Built Context and Higher Density Development
Identity
I.1.i	Local Character	Essex Character and Character and Context
I.1.ii	Legibility	Legibility
I.1.iii	Masterplanning	Layout Details
I.2.i	Design of Buildings	Building Form
Public Space
P.1.i	Primary	Public Open Space and Urban Public Space
P.1.ii	Local and Secondary	Public Open Space and Urban Public Space
P.1.iii	Tertiary	Public Open Space and Urban Public Space
P.2.i	Meeting Places	Public Open Space and Urban Public Space
P.2.ii	Multi-functional	The Key Principles of Public Open Space
P.2.iii	Home zones	Car Free Zones and
P.3.i	Secured by Design	Secured by Design
P.3.ii	Counter Terrorism	No Content
Uses
U.1.i	Efficient Land Use	Criteria for all Development Sites
U.1.ii	Mix	Mixed Uses
U.1.iii	Active Frontage	Places of Openings
U.2.i	Housing for all	Health and Wellbeing
U.2.ii	Type	Indicative House Types
U.3.i	Schools	School Design Guidance and Checklist
U.3.ii	Community Facilities	Community Space for Growing Food
U.3.iii	Local Services	Mixed Uses
Homes and Buildings
H.1.i	Space Standards	Nationally Described Space Standards and Internal Space Provision
H.1.ii	Accessibility	Accessibility for Disabled People to Dwellings
H.2.i	Light, Aspect, Privacy	Daylight and Sunlight and Rear Privacy
H.2.ii	Security	Secured by Design
H.2.iii	Gardens and Balconies	Garden Size, Private Sitting-out Areas and Private Areas
Resources
R.1.i	Energy Hierarchy	Renewable Energy for Developments
R.1.ii	Energy Efficiency	Renewable Energy for Developments
R.1.iii	Neighbourhood Energy	Renewable Energy for Developments
R.2.i	Embodied Energy	Renewable Energy for Developments
R.2.ii	Construction	Renewable Energy for Developments
R.2.iii	MMC	Modern Methods of Construction
R.2.iv	Water	Rainwater Reuse
Lifespan
L.1.i	Management Plan	No Content
L.1.ii	Participation	Supporting Communities
L.1.iii	Community	Community