About the Design Code

About the Elmbridge Design Code

What is a Design Code?

A design code is a set of simple, concise, design requirements which set principles for new development in an area.  

The government’s National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that all local planning authorities should prepare them. Producing a ‘Design Code’ for the borough is only possible with the involvement of our residents and businesses and its success depends on that collaboration.

Design Code in Elmbridge 

Elmbridge Borough Council is preparing a new Local Plan which will include policies to shape development in the borough for the next 15 years. In support of our Local Plan there are Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) that provide more specific details and guidance on how existing and emerging policies should be implemented. The Design Code is one such document; it will support the implementation of policies relating to design matters in Elmbridge.

The aim of the Elmbridge Design Code is to reflect local character and design preferences; providing a framework for creating high-quality design in the borough. The code will set out different design requirements tailored to reflect the character of the individual neighbourhoods within the borough. 

Further information

A 'Story Map' was created to provide baseline information about the Borough and this particularly informed the initial stages of the Project. It contains data about the natural, physical and socio-economic character, as well as information about the historic evolution of the Borough.