Dover Design Code
About the Project
The Council is preparing an authority-wide design code to positively shape future development in the area.
To be a success, the Design Code will need to reflect local character and design preferences, providing a framework for creating high-quality design in the area.
It is a recommendation of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024) to prepare design codes which set out design requirements for an area. Dover District Council is preparing an authority-wide design code to positively shape future development in the area. To be a success, the Design Code will need to reflect local character and design preferences, providing a framework for creating high-quality design in the area.
The initial stages of producing a Design Code has started as a joint project with Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe and Thanet Councils and is funded by the Planning Skills Delivery Fund. It is being led by Design South East and consultants BPTW, who are undertaking stage 1 and 2 of the process (analysis and vision) for each authority.
Following completion of these stages, each Council will then move to Stage 3 and start to produce local Design Codes.
This webpage will provide updates on the design code work and give you an opportunity to submit your ideas and feedback at key stages of the project.
How to get involved
Resident Questionnaire – OPEN NOW
Your input is critical to help us develop design principles to improve the design of what is built in East Kent. Please take part in our survey East Kent Design Code Engagement
The full survey need not take more than 10 minutes. The survey is broken down into 3 parts. Please ensure you submit your response at the end.
Your answers can be as long or as short as you like. This online survey will be open for a period of 6 weeks.
It will close on Saturday 9 November.
The Council is also following a new best-practice approach which puts the community first and has also set up a Community Panel or residents for this project. The Panel’s priorities for well-designed future development will be central to this process, and the Panel will be asked to attend two, three-hour workshops taking place in September and November.
Town and Parish Councils across the district have also been invited to participate via a questionnaire.
FAQs
What is a design code?
A Design Code is a set of simple, concise, illustrated design requirements that are visual and numerical, wherever possible, which provide specific, detailed parameters for the design of new development.
The Dover Design Code will be used to determine whether planning applications are acceptable in design terms, and will support the Local Plan. It will set specific local requirements in order to improve design quality of new development, for example:
- the layout of new development, including street pattern;
- how landscaping should be approached including the importance of streets being tree-lined;
- the factors to be considered when determining whether façades of buildings are of sufficiently high quality;
- the environmental performance of places and buildings;
- that developments should clearly take account of local vernacular and heritage, architecture and materials.
Figure 1: 10 characteristics that make a well-designed place, National Design Guide, DLUHC, 2020
How is a design code developed?
The National Model Design Code was published in 2021 and makes up part of the national Planning Practice Guidance. It specifies the process which the Council will be following in the development of its Design Code, including three key stages:
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
Local communities are involved at each stage of the process in order for Design Codes to be prepared taking into consideration what good design means locally.
Further information
For more information on Design Codes, please consult:
Why are you developing a design code?
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) expects local planning authorities to develop local design codes or guides which set out clear design parameters to help local authorities and communities decide what good quality design looks like in their area. The design code aims to provide greater certainty for communities, raise design standards for new development and support the local authority in determining planning applications.
What will the design code cover?
The design code will cover a range of topics from large scale issues (for example, connectivity of new development, orientation, scale and massing), through to small scale issues (for example built form, public spaces, landscape and the finer details of new homes and buildings).
How long will the process take?
This phase of design code work is currently scheduled to be completed in December 2025. I
What areas will the design code cover?
The design code will be an area-wide design code, covering the entire district of Dover and its settlement areas.
Contact
Email planningpolicy@dover.gov.uk
Tel: 01304 872 244