National Design Guide

[edit] Background to the guide

On the 1st October 2019, the government launched a National Design Guide (NDG) to show how well-designed places that are ‘beautiful, enduring and successful’ can be achieved. The NDG intended to help local authorities achieve quality and excellence in design but also asked them to prepare and implement their own design guides in line with the national standard. The publication of the NDG was accompanied by the launch of the government's green housing revolution.

The National Design Guide is based on the National Planning Policy Framework which highlights that a fundamental part of the planning and development process is creating high quality buildings and places. At the heart of this process is good design which is defined as being:

• Fit for purpose
• Durable and
• Bringing delight.

The guide also supports paragraph 130 of the National Planning Policy Framework which states that designs should be refused permission if they fail to improve the character and quality of an area and the way it functions.

The National Model Design Code forms part of the government’s planning practice guidance and expands on the 10 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.

[edit] Local design guides and codes

In 2022 the Design Council worked with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Office for Place(DLUHC), providing design advice and support to 25 selected pathfinders in Phase 2 of the Pathfinders Programme. Made up of local authorities and neighbourhood planning groups they developed Design Codes to help raise the quality of the built environment in their local area. They built on the experience of 16 previous participants who took part in the National Design Code Pilot Programme (NPFF) in 2021.

Phase 2 focused on the design code creation process, offering best practices from local authorities and neighbourhood planning groups. Phase 3 extended this by sharing experiences from pathfinders implementing their codes, with practical tips for future teams integrating codes into daily planning. Their work can be found here Design Codes: A set of design requirements created with local communities to develop new visions for an area.

[edit] Consultation on the NPPF in 2024 and the role of the national design guide and codes

On 30 July 2024 the newly elected Labour government on launched a consultation on proposed reforms to NPPF and other changes to the planning system. This included references to and the strengthening of the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code, in paragraphs 17-20 of the section Requiring “well designed” development:

"17. The NPPF was updated in December 2023 to include six additional references to the term ‘beauty’ and ‘beautiful’ when relating to well-designed development. This is further to five references to ‘beautiful’ places already set out within the September 2023 NPPF.

18. The Government recognises the importance of beauty in the built environment as an important objective of well-designed places. However, as recognised by previous consultees, including further references to ‘beauty’ and ‘beautiful’ may result in inconsistency in how it is applied in decision-making, as many find the term subjective and difficult to define. There is already a clear framework through policy and guidance on how to achieve well-designed places (as set out in the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code - NMDC), to enable this to be decided by local planning authorities, working together with developers and the community, which is accepted and understood by communities and the built environment sector.

19. We propose to reverse the changes made in 2023 to the Framework that reference beauty and beautiful in relation to well-designed development.

20. We also propose to make small amendments to the changes made in 2023 to paragraph 138 of the existing Frameworkto clarify the original intention for this wording to reflect that the National Model Design Code is now in widespread use and that the NMDC or where available local design guides and codes, prepared in line with the national guidance, is the primary means of assessing and improving the design of development."

[edit] Further details on the National Design Guide

Place-making is given equal emphasis in the NDG. Places evolve over time, can be the setting for a diverse range of activities, and are made up of buildings, landscapes and infrastructure, and when they are well designed, places can benefit people and communities.

The NDG outlines the government’s priorities in the form of 10 characteristics which are brought together in a well-designed place and help nurture and sustain a sense of community:

1. Context – enhances the surroundings.
2. Identity – attractive and distinctive.
3. Built form – a coherent pattern of development.
4. Movement – accessible and easy to move around.
5. Nature – enhanced and optimised.
6. Public spaces – safe, social and inclusive.
7. Uses – mixed and integrated.
8. Homes and buildings – functional, healthy and sustainable.
9. Resources – efficient and resilient.
10. Lifespan – made to last.

These characteristics can work together to create physical character, help nurture and sustain a sense of community and address environmental issues affecting climate.

The National Design Guide comprises four parts:

• Part 1: Outlines the purposes of the NDG.
• Part 2: Lists the 10 characteristics.
• Part 3: Introduces the National Model Design Code – this is a future publication that will set detailed standards for key elements of successful design. It will be subject to consultation and consider the findings of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission.
• Part 4: References.

Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-design-guide

Gillian Charlesworth, Chief Executive of BRE Group said: "We share Government’s ambition to increase the supply of green, environmentally friendly homes that people want in their local communities. With the impacts of climate change already disrupting people’s homelife, through flooding and overheating, we must take every opportunity to ensure new homes have as little impact upon our climate whilst also addressing societies changing needs." Ref BRE response to the green housing revolution.

In January 2021, the government opened a consultation on a draft National Model Design Code which expands on the ten characteristics of good design set out in the National Design Guide. For more information see: National Model Design Code.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• BRE response to the green housing revolution.
• Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission.
• Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission interim report.
• Future Homes Standard.
• Green housing revolution.
• Government Construction Strategy.
• Home design prospects under the Future Homes Standard.
• Low carbon construction IGT.
• National Model Design Code.
• National planning policy framework NPPF.
• Pilot programme for National Model Design Code NMDC.
• Richard Rogers - A Place for all People.
• Sustainability.
• Sustainable materials.
• Zero carbon homes.
• Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.