The Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community Project (TCBGC) has been selected as part of a Government programme to promote high quality design of new developments, and to test aspects of the National Model Design Code (NMDC).
The three partner councils (Essex County Council, Tendring District Council and Colchester Borough Council) are working together to ensure that the TCBGC project is delivered to be the best it can be, recognising the importance of the highest quality design as one of the Garden Community principles.
Through all stages of the planning and development of the TCBGC, the highest quality design of the place will be embedded throughout, including everything from homes and buildings, through to layout, landscaping and public spaces.
The TCBGC project is uniquely placed to test the NMDC. It provides an excellent opportunity to consider the various aspects of the planning and design approach, with specific reference to a long‐term strategic project and at an early stage in the process.
A spokesperson on behalf of the Councils said ‘Government recognising the uniqueness of the project, and the great potential it provides to achieve the highest quality of design, is wonderful news. Through some of the ideas we’ve heard so far, via our engagement website, we know that high quality design really matters to local people and to the quality of a place. With some dedicated community engagement for this consultation we will respond, making sure local voices are heard, for the benefit of future generations’.
‘Elected Members on all three partner authorities have been very vociferous on achieving great and innovative design, as this project not only is a blank canvas which lends itself to leave a legacy of outstanding architecture, but the highest quality of design is the 6th principle of our Garden Communities Charter’.
The draft National Model Design Code is intended to be used as a toolkit providing guidance on the issues that need to be considered, as well as methods to capture and reflect the views of the local community at each stage in the process.
A design code is a set of illustrated design requirements that provide specific parameters for how an area should be developed. They are important because they provide a framework for creating healthy, environmentally responsive, sustainable, and distinctive places, with a consistent and high-quality standard of design.