Rushcliffe Design Code
Current Consultation - Rushcliffe Design Code Supplementary Planning Document
The draft Rushcliffe Design Code Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has been published for consultation. A web-based version is also available to view.
The consultation closes at 5pm on Monday 10 March 2025.
The SPD will supplement the Rushcliffe Local Plan (Part 1: Core Strategy and Part 2: Land and Planning Policies) and national planning policies and guidance. The SPD sets out the design requirements for new development in Rushcliffe Borough and will be used in the determination of planning applications.
A Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment Screening Opinion has been prepared for the draft SPD. It has determined that there will be no significant environmental effects or need for an appropriate assessment. The draft SPD is also accompanied by a Consultation Statement.
A hard copy of the draft SPD and accompanying documents and can be viewed during normal opening hours at the Rushcliffe Customer Contact Point, West Bridgford Library, Bridgford Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6AT.
Comments on the draft Rushcliffe Design Code SPD can be made:
- By email to localdevelopment@rushcliffe.gov.uk, or
- By post to: Planning Policy, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7YG.
All comments must be submitted to the Council by 5pm on Monday 10 March 2025.
If you have any questions, please call Planning Policy on 0115 981 9911, or email us at localdevelopment@rushcliffe.gov.uk. If you wish to be notified when the SPD is adopted, please state this in your response.
Background to the Design Code
It has recently become a requirement for Local Planning Authorities to prepare design codes in which they set out design requirements for developments in their area. When adopted, the Rushcliffe Design Code SPD will replace the Rushcliffe Residential Design Guide SPD (2009). It is envisaged that the Design Code will eventually be adopted as a Supplementary Plan and will have the same weight as the Local Plan in planning decisions.
National Model Design Code
The National Model Design Code was published in 2021 and makes up part of the Planning Practice Guidance. It sets out the process which the Council will be following in the development of its Design Code.
- Stage 1: Analysis
- 1A Scoping; 1B Baseline Analysis
- Stage 2: Vision
- 2A Design Vision; 2B Coding Plan
- Stage 3: Code
- 3A Guidance for Area Types; 3B General Guidance
Stage 1A. Scoping
The initial period of community engagement ran from Monday 29 January until Thursday 7 March 2024.
Stage 1B. Baseline Analysis
An analysis of the Borough was carried out and a series of topic-based maps and character appraisals were published in the Draft Rushcliffe Baseline Appraisal. The analysis and the results of the scoping exercise (Stage 1A) was used to inform the Vision of the Design Code and how the Borough has been divided up into Area Types.
Stage 2. Design Vision and Coding Plan
The Council consulted on the Design Vision and Draft Coding Plan of the Rushcliffe Design Code from Monday 20 May until Sunday 30 June 2024.
You can view further details on the earlier stages of preparing the Rushcliffe Design Code.
Stage 3. Code
Following on from the analysis and visioning stages, the Council has drafted the Design Code, which comprises a set of mandatory requirements which is supported by a suite of Design Notes that provide explanatory text and illustrations as well as additional guidance. The draft Rushcliffe Design Code is also available to view as a web-based version.
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