What do you value about where you live - Hartlepool Design Code

Planning Policy are collecting the views and ideas of Hartlepool residents on the what people value about the environment where they live and how they think new development could be designed better in the future.

The council will use this information to create a set of design rules and guidance, known as Design Codes, that will provide certainty to local communities and developers and will be used to guide new developments across the borough.

What is a Design Code?

The National Planning Policy Framework and the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (2023) require local planning authorities to produce design guides or codes for their area. A Design Code is a planning document which sets out specific rules for how new development should be designed to ensure that they are of a high quality and reflect the needs of the local community.

The rules set out within a Design Code can cover many areas of a developments design, including:

• How streets are designed
• Levels of car parking
• Where buildings should be placed in the street
• How buildings should be designed to take account of local character including heritage, architecture and materials.
• How landscaping should be included
• How spaces for water and nature should be included

How to take part

Complete our survey

Drop a pin on our map

Attend a drop-in event (please see dates to the right of the page)

What happens next?

The views and opinions expressed will provide an insight into what residents would like to see in new residential areas and help inform the Design Code rules. A draft Design Code will be consulted upon once prepared. When the Design Code is adopted all planning applications for residential developments will be assessed against the rules and guidance set out within the code.

Consultation will be open until 8th November.