FW: Update from GOV.UK for new design guidance

[Mike Priaulx]

Hi all, for information the government has just released a consultation on new design guidance,

closing 11:45pm on 10/03/26:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/design-and-placemaking-planning-practice-guidance

This is just England again, but the other nations are not missing out on too much...

This guidance feeds into local Design Codes -

Design Codes can be useful as they come into force much more quickly than Local Plans,

with often just one round of consultation.

The government have added "(including swift bricks)" to N4 (page 31),

so it now reads: "incorporating features for species, such as bat and bird boxes, and bee and bird bricks (including swift bricks)".

This is an improvement but the wording could be better -

I will suggest a response to this consultation soon so you have a month or so to submit comments if you wish, along with the NPPF consultation.

Although Design Codes aren't compulsory for planning applicants,

many will follow them to gain planning permission more easily.

NB you might know this document under its previous name the "National Model Design Code Guidance".

All the best,

Mike

Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group

---------- Forwarded message ---------

From: GOV.UK Email <gov.uk.email@notifications.service.gov.uk>

Date: Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 12:24 PM

Subject: Update from GOV.UK for: New design guidance to raise the bar for new build developments

To: <islingt...@gmail.com>

Update from GOV.UK for:

New design guidance to raise the bar for new build developments

Page summary:

The government has published updated new build design guidance today.

Change made:

First published.

Time updated:

12:24pm, 21 January 2026

[Mike Priaulx]

Hi all,

This is my suggested response to the "design codes" for England consultation, which like the NPPF consultation closes on 10/03/26:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/design-and-placemaking-planning-practice-guidance/design-and-placemaking-planning-practice-guidance

Its not huge news but it's still a useful opportunity, and the online survey is short.

Every local authority must develop design codes - they're not compulsory for planning applicants but the positive is that they come into force quickly, and applicants do meet them to more easily achieve planning permission.

I am often contacted about planning applications of concern, and it's frustrating when there's no LPA guidance at all, so a relevant design code in that context is really useful.

Background, just for info:

We know from the Wild Justice report that inclusion on planning drawings or specification, with no specific planning condition, has the lowest level of compliance but it's better than nothing (and it is a legal requirement in theory).

Some design codes are already well worded, e.g. the Lake District demands compliance with BS 42021.

This consultation:

The current guidance recommends "bird bricks" and the new guidance recommends "bird bricks (including swift bricks)" (section N4, paragraph 93, page 31), so a slight improvement.

However it would be much better if it followed NPPG paragraph 017 text, i.e. at least one swift brick per dwelling on average for new developments.

My suggested comments:

Here's the direct link to the online survey:

https://consult.communities.gov.uk/design-and-placemaking-planning/design-placemaking-planning-practice-guidance/consultation/subpage.2026-01-13.1113235329/

Enter your personal information, for your Swifts Group where relevant.

Q6. Do you agree that the usability and effectiveness of the draft Design and Placemaking PPG has improved?

Neither agree nor disagree.

Q7. Are there any aspects where clarity, accessibility, or practical application could be improved to better support design and placemaking outcomes

Include in your comments (or copy & paste if you wish):

Supportive of reference to swift bricks clause in section N4, paragraph 93.

Clearer and more effective if it followed NPPG Natural Environment 2025 paragraph 017 text, i.e. at least one swift brick per dwelling on average for new developments.

Therefore, please amend to include the key text of NPPG Natural Environment 2025 paragraph 017.

For the next "required" question answer:

Neither agree nor disagree.

(You can leave the text box blank.)

Then regarding whether model design codes are positive:

Answer: yes.

(You can leave the text box blank.)

Then Submit.

Please let me know at swifts....@gmail.com if you submit a comment.

Many thanks!

Mike

Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group

[T Davies]

How do we answer the question (Q10) that asks whether it would speed up design codes?

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[Mike Priaulx]

Hi Talya,

I suggest answer "yes" to Q10.

Apologies that wasn't clear.

Many thanks,

Mike

T Davies <talya...@googlemail.com>: Feb 23 01:02PM

[Mike Priaulx]

Hi all,

This is a reminder of my suggested response to the "design codes" for England consultation, which like the NPPF consultation also closes at 23:45 on 10/03/26 (thanks for everyone who's commented on this & the NPPF consultation so far):

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/design-and-placemaking-planning-practice-guidance/design-and-placemaking-planning-practice-guidance

It's not huge news but it's still a useful opportunity, and the online survey is short.

The current guidance recommends "bird bricks" and the new guidance recommends "bird bricks (including swift bricks)" (section N4, paragraph 93, page 31), so a slight improvement.

However it would be much better if it followed NPPG paragraph 017 text, i.e. at least one swift brick per dwelling on average for new developments.

My suggested comments:

Here's the direct link to the online survey:

https://consult.communities.gov.uk/design-and-placemaking-planning/design-placemaking-planning-practice-guidance/consultation/subpage.2026-01-13.1113235329/

Enter your personal information, for your Swifts Group where relevant.

Q6. Do you agree that the usability and effectiveness of the draft Design and Placemaking PPG has improved?

Neither agree nor disagree.

Q7. Are there any aspects where clarity, accessibility, or practical application could be improved to better support design and placemaking outcomes?

Include in your comments (or copy & paste if you wish):

Supportive of reference to swift bricks clause in section N4, paragraph 93.

Clearer and more effective if it followed NPPG Natural Environment 2025 paragraph 017 text, i.e. at least one swift brick per dwelling on average for new developments.

Therefore, please amend to include the key text of NPPG Natural Environment 2025 paragraph 017.

For the next "required" question answer:

Neither agree nor disagree.

(You can leave the text box blank.)

Then the final required question regarding whether model design codes will speed things up:

Answer: yes.

(You can leave the text box blank.)

Then Submit.

Please let me know at swifts....@gmail.com if you submit a comment.

Many thanks!

Mike

Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group

On 23 Feb 2026, at 11:38, Mike Priaulx <michael...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi all,