People are being given a chance to help shape a draft Design Code that will determine the future of the look and feel of public spaces and buildings in Mansfield.
A six-week public consultation gets underway this month for people to have their say on the first draft of the code and make any comments before a final draft is prepared and adopted by Full Council.
This Design Code will form the blueprint for how future developments in the town centre will look. It will cover the design of streets, public spaces and buildings, as well as spaces created for nature and green areas, and it will inform future decisions on planning applications and town centre improvements.
The documents can be accessed and downloaded on the council website in the planning policy section (link opens in new window). People can participate in the consultation by answering questions on each section using online or paper questionnaires.
The first draft documents were given formal approval to go to consultation by Councillor Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Growth, on 26 June.
He said: “The design code will clarify what constitutes acceptable design quality and thereby provide a level of certainty for the council, developers and the local community.
“I would encourage everyone who has an interest in what the town centre should look like in the future to have their say on this consultation.”
The development of the code follows the authority being selected as one of 25 councils in England to be awarded £120,000 by the government. The code will comprise a set of written and graphical rules that establish the two and three-dimensional design elements for specific sites and areas that have also been identified in the emerging Town Centre Masterplan.
Following the funding award in June 2022, the council began its first round of consultation with residents, businesses and environmental groups to influence the principles, policies and guidance used to bring together this first draft of the Design Code.
In addition to the website, printed copies of the draft guidance can be viewed at Mansfield Civic Centre and libraries within the district. A printed copy can also be provided in exceptional circumstances where someone cannot access the document online. Comments should be made in writing, preferably via the council’s online consultation portal (link opens in new window) or by email or letter.
There will also be a pop-up gazebo in the town centre on Wednesday 2 August, 12pm to 5pm, for people to view the draft design code and ask any questions. The deadline to comment is 4.30pm on 18 August.
To find out more about council planning policy, visit the council website (link opens in new window).
