Guidance

National Model Design Code: testing programme - expressions of interest

Published 30 January 2021

Applies to England

Summary

The government is undertaking a programme of consultation and engagement with local planning authorities and industry to test aspects of the process and content of the National Model Design Code (NMDC), how it might be applied to different contexts, and the use of design coding in the planning system generally. The findings will help inform potential further development of the NMDC and decisions on use of design codes in the future reformed planning system.

The purpose of the NMDC is to provide detailed guidance on the production of local design codes, guides and policies that lead to successful design. It provides advice to local planning authorities on the process for producing codes, the design parameters and issues that need to be considered and tailored to their own context when producing local design codes and guides. It includes methods to capture and reflect the views of the local community through the process.

The government is currently seeking views on the National Model Design Code, alongside relevant changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. See further details.

Expressions of interest

We propose to test the application of the NMDC with up to 10 local planning authorities selected through an Expression of Interest process. We propose to provide a £50,000 grant to each selected authority. We would welcome expressions of interest to take part in the testing of the NMDC from local planning authorities in England. Funding is available in order to help local planning authorities test aspects of the process and content of the NMDC, to inform its further development, how it might be applied to different contexts, and the use of design coding in the planning system generally.

Outputs might be the development of local design codes and guides, testing community engagement processes to support their development, or its application alongside other planning tools such as Neighbourhood Planning. Proposed outputs will need to be set out in the application form below.

How to submit an expression of interest

Local planning authorities that would like to submit an expression of interest should do so by submitting an application in the format and with the details listed below.

Local planning authorities are required to submit outline details of the development area they wish to apply the NMDC to, the planning status of the area for testing, for example in local plans and other policies, and the aspect of the NMDC they wish to test. This might include for example: a design code for a site, its application on Neighbourhood Plans or wide area planning, or testing the community consultation process on an emerging design code. We will require applicants to set out a defined output from the process, whether a code, process or other tool.

We will be seeking a mix of proposals from different locations and contexts to test the NMDC in different geographic locations and area types. We expect to select local planning authorities spread across England with different spatial contexts, development aspirations, geography, design policies and design resources.

Deadline:

The deadline for submission of expressions of interest is 22 February 2021, 5.30pm.

Contact details:

Please submit completed expressions of interest, or any queries to the following address:

[email protected]

Guidance on completing an expression of interest

Expression of interest applications should be made in the following format:

A. Spatial Context (up to 2 pages with supporting maps / diagrams)

1. Clear definition of the location of your LPA area and the district, area or site being tested
2. Describe your selected area or site: City, inner / outer suburb, Heritage Town, Market Town, Village, Rural Settlement, Area with Neighbourhood Planning group, and/or in another way by area type

B. Development Aspiration (up to 1 page with supporting maps / diagrams)

1. Do you have a current Local Plan and spatial vision and details of scale of opportunity?
2. Set out the relevant Development Plan Documents and related documents for the area to be tested.

C. Geography

State Location and any adjacent conditions that may affect the testing such as NSIP/AONB or other LPAs with adjacent housing growth areas

D. Design policies (up to 1 page with supporting maps / diagrams)

1. What design policies are included within your current or emerging policy framework for the area to be tested?
2. Identify supporting information that you have in place for the area to be tested, if any: current analysis to support your vision, eg characterisation studies, standards or masterplans?

E. Design resources (up to 2 pages)

1. Describe the team (lead and support members) that would carry out the testing.
2. Demonstrate confirmation of support from Planning Directors. (Emails and letters of authorisation and approval, as relevant)
3. Whether you intend to draw in support from framework consultants or design service providers. (eg Design Network, Design Council or other design service providers)

F. Stakeholder engagement (up to 1 page)

1. Describe relevant and established community groups, such as Neighbourhood Planning Groups, if any.
2. Describe relevant and established developer partnership forums, if any.

G. Statement of objectives and expected outcomes (up to 2 pages with supporting diagrams if relevant)

1. Set out the aspects of the NMDC that you wish to test, and how this relates to your circumstances outlined above.
2. What interim and final outputs do you expect to deliver for the NMDC testing programme?
3. Broadly set out the process you expect to follow. Align your response to the NMDC testing programme outputs and time-scale.

Assessment criteria and weighting

The assessment of expressions of interest will be carried out with the following weighting:

Assessment criteria	Areas of assessment	Weighting
Baseline	Sections A, B, C, D	30
Objectives	Section G	35
Deliverability	Sections E, F, G	35

Testing programme outputs and timescale

Participating local planning authorities will be asked to report on the outcomes in 3 stages (cumulative):

• Eight weeks – Interim report in response to the initial public consultation
• Three months – First draft output, delivery process and identification of a test case
• Six months – Final Design Code or other output, final process and application on a test case

Public consultation period response

• Interim report in response to the public consultation question on the NMDC

Three months interim milestone

• Workshop with local planning authority officer group and partners
• Workshop with community and partners
• Roundtable with MHCLG and all participating local planning authorities for knowledge sharing; each local planning authority will be required to share an interim output and findings on the NMDC so far

Six months final milestone

• Peer review process with MHCLG and Design Body Steering Group
• Further workshop with officer group, community and partners to test the emerging design code with the live Planning Application or Development Proposal; feedback from attendees
• Feedback session with all participating local planning authorities

Application and testing programme timeline

• Expression of interest process launch: Monday 1 February
  
• Expression of interest submissions due: Monday 22 February
  
• Selection process: Monday 22 – Friday 26 February
  
• Notification and appointment: Monday 1 March
  
• Close of eight-week consultation period: Friday 26 March
  
• Three-month interim milestone: Tuesday 1 June