LUC was commissioned by the Lake District National Park Authority to prepare a Design Code to guide decision-making on planning applications. It covers the entire National Park and World Heritage Site and simplifies the planning process by providing clear design requirements (code) within a framework of good design principles.

The National Park Authority asked LUC's experts to prioritise local distinctiveness alongside broader strategic objectives. Biodiversity net gain, reduction of carbon emissions, and climate resilience were at the forefront of this process. The Design Code will inform every development, no matter how small, and align with the Authority's sustainability objectives.

The Design Code was one of the first applications of the government’s National Model Design Code. It is also one of the first to cover a large and rural area where new development must respond positively to the National Park’s landscape, ecological and cultural value. The project has set a new benchmark for design codes in rural areas.

LUC project managed the Design Code from its inception, working closely with the Park Authority. We assembled a diverse team of experts including planners, landscape designers, ecologists, historic environment specialists, carbon management specialists, and geospatial experts. Preparing such a wide-ranging document involved nearly every discipline at LUC’s disposal - a true team effort. We also worked with John Coward Architects to inform, evaluate and illustrate the Code. The project benefitted from our multidisciplinary approach, and how we collaborated with the client.  We worked closely with the Authority’s planning officers to devise and test the Code, and with a stakeholder group to shape the Code through engagement and review.

The Design Code informs decision-making on planning applications for new buildings, house extensions, conversions, and shopfronts. It helps applicants to understand the local context and the distinctive response to this character in local buildings. It guides good design across a range of design elements including accessibility, landscape and historic settlement character, layout, building form, and the use of local materials. The Code extends beyond how places look to address functionality and usability, and it encourages innovation.

The Design Code is at the vanguard of good design principles - it provides clarity and assistance to residents, developers, and businesses. Designed to cater to users with limited time and varying levels of expertise, the highly visual and fully online document prioritises accessibility. It avoids technical jargon, ensures adaptability, and presents information graphically to maximise understanding and engagement.