A1 Introduction and purpose of the Design Code
Contents
Figure 1: View of County Hall, Wakefield City Centre
A1.1 Context and purpose
The purpose of this Design Code is to raise the design quality of new developments across our District, by creating more attractive, healthy, functional and sustainable places for people to live, work, and enjoy.
By setting out clear codes and guidance, the Design Code makes it easier to get design right from the start. It provides a practical toolkit and a clear benchmark for everyone involved in the planning and design process. This will give applicants, designers, planning officers, councillors and local communities more confidence and certainty.
The Design Code focuses on tackling recurring design issues seen in planning applications, whilst encouraging consistent, fair decision-making. Setting clear standards, the Design Code still allows room for innovation and flexibility, so that buildings and spaces can meet local needs and adapt over time.
The Design Code aims to improve design in areas where quality could be improved, whilst protecting and enhancing places that already have a strong sense of distinct character. It shows what good design looks like in the Wakefield District and supports our objective to make good design the standard, not the exception.
Importantly, the Design Code is not just a technical document, it reflects a shared vision for the District’s future. Rooted in the development strategy of the Wakefield District Local Plan, it promotes a design-led approach that supports long-term goals and aspirations.
National planning policy supports good design and expands on this in the National Design Guide and the National Model Design Code (NMDC). Wakefield Council successfully applied to become a Design Code Pathfinder in a programme led by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to support our design code process.
This Design Code uses the NMDC as its starting point and refines it to address key design priorities that are relevant and distinctive to Wakefield.
Ultimately this Design Code is here to make it easier to achieve high quality design, giving everyone the tools to help shape attractive, functional, and sustainable places, that everyone can benefit from.
You can also view the Design Code online on Wakefield Council’s webpage about Planning Policy and Environment Consultations.
On the Design Codes webpage you can input your development scale to filter which codes and guidance you will need to meet the Design Codes requirements.
A1.2 How the Design Code has been prepared
In summer 2024, we took the first steps towards creating this new Design Code. This early work included reviewing Wakefield’s existing design guides and engaging with councillors, key external stakeholders, and Council officers.
In December 2024, the Council brought in AECOM to help design and develop the Design Code. The development process involved several key workstreams, which were:
gathering and analysing evidence from December 2024 to April 2025
testing and refining the Design Code from April to September 2025
engaging with stakeholders, developers, planning agents, and Council officers throughout 2025
A1.3 Planning status
A design guide and a design code both help shape how new buildings and places look, but they have key differences. A design guide gives broad advice and ideas about good design, whilst a design code is more detailed and precise, setting out clear rules and instructions that must be followed.
The intention is to adopt the Wakefield District Design Code as planning guidance in the form of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). This will support and add more detail to the existing policies set out in the Wakefield District Local Plan.
Figure 2 shows the range of local planning policy documents to consider when designing a development proposal and how the Design Code fits within this.
The Council’s Planning Policy webpages provide the current planning policy documents. Local Planning Policy Context (Appendix 2) details the local planning policy context for this SPD. SPDs do not form part of the development plan, so they are not able to introduce new planning policies, but they are a material consideration when planning applications are decided. SPDs should also not unnecessarily add to the financial cost of development.
Regulations 11 to 16 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 explain the process for producing an SPD. The Design Code will replace the following existing SPDs:
Residential Design Guide SPD - Part 1: Guidance for Housebuilders (January 2018)
Residential Design Guide SPD - Part 2: Guidance for Householders (January 2018)
Street Design Guide SPD (January 2012)
This document will also replace the Wakefield District Local Plan
Masterplanning Guidance. Technical Standards related to Street Design but not related to planning applications will be located on the Council’s webpage about Planning Applications and Advice
Figure 2: Local planning policy and guidance documents to consider when designing a development proposal.
A1.4 Who is the Design Code for?
The Design Code applies to all developments needing planning permission, from house extensions to larger developments. Whilst it covers all types of land use, it is essential for residential and employment developments, which make up most of the allocations in the Wakefield District Local Plan. The main users of the Design Code will be:
Applicants
Whether you are a developer, designer, business, or householder preparing a planning application, the Design Code sets clear expectations and requirements. Detailing the key elements of good design, it helps you meet the standards needed for successful, high-quality development.
Planning and other Council officers
As a day-to-day tool for officers at Wakefield Council. It supports conversations at the pre-application stage and helps guide decision-making, ensuring that advice is consistent, clear and aligned with local priorities.
Planning committee
Councillors making planning decisions will be informed by officer recommendations based on the Design Code. It provides a reliable framework to support consistent, fair, and design-led decision-making.
Local community
Strong communities help shape great places. The Design Code gives Councillors, residents and local interest groups confidence in what they can expect from new development
A1.5 Design code benefits
District-wide design process
It provides a consistent and clear design process across differing development types, scales, and areas. This will further support and enhance our identity for the district.
Achieving good design
It sets clear, consistent design standards that raise the overall quality of both the built and natural environment. This will help applicants, decision-makers, and communities understand what good design looks like.
Celebrating our District
The Design Code celebrates what makes Wakefield District special. Taking pride in our distinct character, heritage, diverse industries, and natural environments. Ensuring that new development respects and enhances these qualities.
Providing a clear vision
By providing a clear set of objectives for everyone to achieve, it will provide a clear, transparent and consistent vision. Creating a smoother and quicker process for both applicants and decision makers to follow.*
Sustainable placemaking
It promotes environmentally focused design choices in construction, planting, and site design. Supporting healthier and resilient places that adapt to varying weather conditions and climate change
Community engagement
The Design Code will encourage collaboration to create a sense of pride and ownership across the community. Giving everyone equal opportunities in creating and shaping design ambitions for the district.
Long-term value
Creating high-quality, inclusive, and accessible design, that will help create places that work well for everyone to value and enjoy.