National Policy and Guidance
On 24 July 2018 the government published it revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This places good design at the heart of good planning and sustainable development. NNDC has produced this Guide to meet the requirements of the NPPF in supporting Local Plan policies, site allocations and to ensure that good design is integral to all new development in the District.
In the context of planning and placemaking, design involves careful thought and imagination to create physical forms of development. It is vital that during this design process you consider and properly weight the relevant national and local policies. This should be done at the earliest possible opportunity prior to and during the process of planning a development. High standards of design are a core planning principle of the NPPF.
The purpose of the Design Guide as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is to expand upon and strengthen the effectiveness of this policy context by providing more detailed advice. The SPD both draws from and builds upon the NPPF (in particular Chapter 12 – Achieving well-designed places) as well as the wide range of published guidance, including the National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG), other national guidance such as the Manual for Streets and guidance on offer from key research groups such as the Design Council.
What are the NPPF & NPPG?
Together they set out what the planning system should do and how it should be doing it. The NPPF is the highest level planning policy, to which all other polices should accord and align. The NPPG explains how to apply the NPPF and its various paragraphs. The Design Guide makes reference to various terms and paragraphs within the NPPF and NPPG. It conforms with the themes of both documents and ensures they can be properly interpreted at a local level.
'The creation of high quality buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve' (NPPF Para 124)
Local Policy and Guidance
The government expects local authorities to have up-to-date plans in place to guide development within their area and to plan for the infrastructure, homes and jobs that our residents need. North Norfolk has specific topics to address such as being an important tourism destination, areas of outstanding natural beauty, environmentally sensitive areas, coastal erosion, the acute need for affordable housing, and how to provide accommodation to meet the needs of an older population. The policies contained in the new Local Plan will set out the requirements that we expect to be provided by those undertaking development.
What is the Local Plan?
The new Local Plan will provide policy context for development across the whole of North Norfolk for the period 2016-2036. The Plan sets out the long-term spatial vision, objectives and key development management policies which will influence design at a local level. These policies which set design standards and protect the natural and built environment are key considerations when assessing any application for planning permission.
Key Local Plan Design Polices:
The following Local Plan policies are the most likely to directly affect design considerations.
• SS4: Environment
• HO1: Dwelling Mix & Type
• HO7: Making the Most Efficient Use of Land (Housing Density)
• HO9: Reuse of Rural Buildings as Dwellings
• EC2: The Reuse of Buildings in the Countryside
• EN2: Protection & Enhancement of the Landscape & Settlement Character
• EN4: Design
• EN5: Public Realm
• EN8: Protection & Enhancing the Historic Environment
• EN10: Flood Risk
‘All development will be designed to a high quality, reinforcing local distinctiveness. Innovative and sustainable design will be encouraged. Design which fails to have regard to local context and does not preserve or enhance the character and quality of an area will not be acceptable’ (Local Plan Policy EN4)
The diagram above outlines the relationship between the key national and local policy documents and the Design Guide as a Supplementary Planning Document.
The diagram above shows key design policy and guidance documents