News PRP to develop local design guide for housing developments

PRP to develop local design guide for housing developments

Press Releases

May 28, 2021

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council successfully bid to take part in a pilot scheme which will set out design principles for local development.

The Council were awarded 50k to progress the scheme, with the purpose to provide a set of guidance for developers to follow in the form of a design ‘code’. This code will ensure that any future local developments are beautiful, well-designed, fit in with the character of the area, and crucially, reflect the views of local people.

Included in the code will be elements such as street character, building type and façade as well as environmental, heritage and wellbeing factors. Work has now started on the pilot and NBBC have commissioned long-established architectural firm PRP to assist with the production of the code, with Coventry City Council supporting as part of the project team.

Sarah Touzeau, Associate at PRP said: “We are pleased to be supporting the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council on this pilot scheme that will set a new benchmark for housing developments in the area. We especially look forward to working with residents to better understand their aspiration and vision for their community as this will ensure that future plans are truly inspired by the local character and identity.”

The pilot will run for six months and will be focusing on a strategic allocation within the adopted Borough Plan. To ensure that local people have a real say, a fundamental element of the design code testing stage will be community engagement, which will be undertaken during that time.

Cllr Richard Smith, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council Portfolio holder for Planning and Regulation commented: “We are delighted to have been chosen to take part in this pilot programme.

“Local voices should be at the forefront of local developments and this scheme shifts the power from developers to residents to shape the future of what their neighbourhoods should look like. I am looking forward to seeing what can be achieved during the testing period and finding out exactly what our local community wants from emerging developments.”