Trafford adopts boroughwide design code
A set of principles aimed at improving the quality of emerging residential and commercial schemes is now in force.
In future, developers and their consultancy teams will have to draw up plans for schemes taking into account the parameters set out in Trafford Council’s newly adopted design code.
Now the design code has been adopted, developers will have to do much more than simply design an attractive building.
The code states that “all applicants are expected to demonstrate how their design approach has been influenced by the surrounding context, including landscape, buildings, spaces, heritage, and culture”.
Cllr Liz Patel, executive member for economy and regeneration at Trafford Council, said: “The purpose of this is to ensure that the quality of building design in Trafford is of the highest quality, allowing us to commission innovative new projects and build a future landscape in the borough that everyone can be proud of.
“The design of homes, streets and commercial buildings has a real impact on people’s lives, so the introduction of the design code should have a tangible impact on everyone who lives, works, and spends time in Trafford.”
Consultation on the code, which was supported with funding from the government’s Design Code Pathfinder Programme, began in 2022.
Capita, Barnes Walker, and LDA Design were among the private sector firms that helped Trafford Council develop its design code.
Trafford is not the only council to explore the design code route as a means of controlling the quality of development delivered in its towns. Stockport Council is in the early stages of the pathfinder process. The council is seeking a team of consultants to draw up a code aimed at driving development that can “win the hearts and minds of residents”.
Good to see they have continued to ignore any and all developer input. Trafford is a big problems to GM’s housing ambition when it comes to planning. A shame that no one in a leadership role seems to be able to get a grip and realise that this design code and their unwillingness to accept viability is real problem, will stunt any real delivery scale.
By Workwithus
Very much looking forward to seeing how new developments comply with all of this going forward and which parts of it are relaxed to ensure viable developments actually come forward. Also looking forward to seeing how the highways adoption standards change to enable compliance ……
By Anonymous
it will be interesting to see how all of this plus viability is going to work with Brownfield Passports to expedite the approval and development of sites .Who’s subjectivity is it that decides. The amount of SPDs and bureaucracy is astounding these days.
By Max Homes
Council which approved architectural masterpieces like Pomona Wharf and X1 Manchester Waters now wants to lecture everyone else on what good design looks like
By Anonymous
Wow, 252 pages of design insight….. it’s a pity architects must get to page 222 before this pearl of wisdom, “Tall buildings must comprise a base, middle and top”.
By Mr N Imby
@September 25, 2024 at 1:29 pm
By Anonymous
Design codes as mandated as part of LURA 2033 will help to mitigate against said rubbish schemes you mentioned.
By Rye
Good point Mr N Imby. Best have a look at the intuitive digital platform rather than the pdf. Let’s hope the link to the website is provided
By Anonymous
This will simply cause further delays to planning applications, with insufficiently qualified staff trying to implement a restrictive and muddled design guide.
By CEO Archtects practice
If it’s around Old Trafford can the theme be red for the Lancashire rose?
By Andrew
After a first read of this long document I need time to digest the contents and implications. Undoubtedly the document and its contents are here because developers, landowners and builders cannot be trusted to deliver the appropriate quality of building without this additional layer of guidance. Yet many modern developments probably all meet the guidance. It is disappointing that in the desire to see innovative new projects, the guidance is limited to a couple of pages at the end of the document and the climate change agenda, which does require innovation and change to deliver appropriate buildings, is not the golden thread that permeates the whole document that it should be. Our industry is wedded to the Grenfell characterisation of “how much it can get away with,” Until we all see community interest as more valuable than the cult of self interest, success will be slow to achieve.
By jeff atkins architect