Historic England
Client
Approach
The August 2020 government white paper ‘Planning for the Future’ set an ambitious framework for planning reform in England. Design codes were anticipated by many as a key element.
Node were commissioned by Historic England to investigate the application of design codes for development affecting heritage assets and historic areas. We explored how the heritage sector could take full advantage of a revised framework, ensuring the historic environment is properly and positively embraced within design-code-led developments.
Results
Node provided consultancy to Historic England at key junctures of their engagement and consultation with MHCLG and other stakeholders. Briefing reports laid out the key lessons and recommendation of our research, prompting thought and discussion within Historic England, and allowing the organisation to devise strategy for long-term positive engagement with design codes. Node experimented with means of delivering advice on technical good practice for design codes to the heritage sector, and advised on how to build skills and capacity within heritage professionals to ensure they were placed at the heart of a new, design-code led place shaping framework.
The final report can be downloaded from the Historic England website:
https://historicengland.org.uk/content/docs/planning/design-codes-and-the-historic-environment/
