The Government has been working on plans to introduce design codes for development for a few years. They what to put them in place to give local authorities, developers, architects, and other stakeholders more practical guidance. As a top architect in London, we want to have a look at what they are as well as the impact it could have on our profession.

Instructions

An important thing to clear up right away is that the design codes won’t create solid limitations on what people can do. Instead, the Government intends them as simple design requirements or instructions. Most importantly, they want to make people think about design parameters and issues. Plus, the aim is to ensure they consider the local community.

How will they work?

The bill that the design codes are part of will make it mandatory for local councils to produce them. They will have to do this for all areas in their jurisdiction. If they fail to do so, ministers can step in. That can force them to comply.

As well as codes at the local level, there will be regional and national ones. They will provide broader guidance for areas. An important thing here is they will look to consider resources and how to use them effectively. This is vital for things in short supply, including water.

The plan is to start off with 25 pilot programmes. These ‘pathfinder’ ones will showcase how it will work at the local level and the form the codes will take. This will then inform how to step it up to the national level.

What will the impact be?

There are some concerns that the design codes will hamper architects and developers. As a top architect in London, we hope this won’t be the case.

The Government has actually come out to assuage these fears. Government architect Sarah Allan said at a recent AJ100 event they will not be a straitjacket to limit what people can do. The idea is to help solve problems rather than making people stick to specific rules.

The Government also wants architects and other stakeholders to be involved in drawing up the codes. Their idea is that it will take advantage of their knowledge and expertise to ensure they become a useful toolkit.

Plan a project with an architect in London

Whatever happens with the design codes, it is always a great idea to choose a knowledgeable, creative architect to help with your project. This is true wherever you are in the world, from big cities like London to rural or coastal spots. It is much better to call on their expertise to consider the conditions on a plot and the wider setting.

Coffey Architects is happy to help here. You can come to us for design advice for any project. We have no trouble working with local guidelines too, ensuring you get the best chance of being successful with planning applications.

So, if you need assistance from a fantastic architect in London, contact us today.