Winner - The Trafford Design Code, submitted by Trafford Council
The Trafford Design Code is a borough-wide digital plan creating certainty in design and development. Funded through the Pathfinder Programme, it aligns with national design principles while allowing for innovation. Developed in-house, it promotes sustainability, inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring high-quality development which is landscape led. Extensive community engagement shaped its content, leading to design codes which reflect the community’s aspirations for new development. The Code’s digital format improves accessibility and usability. It has gained national recognition, influencing other local authorities and being cited as an exemplary approach to design coding and using guidance innovatively.
The judges recognises that this was an outstanding submission within this category, and were impressed with the ambition, innovation and collaborative effort behind the design code, which was reflective of Trafford’s commitment to high-quality, inclusive and assessable planning. The judges were pleased to see how the code was already having a meaningful impact, including upskilling officers, improving design quality but also as a blueprint for other authorities through sharing of experiences through the RTPI and the PAS.
Commended: Stockport Town Centre Residential Design Guide, submitted by Stockport Council and Planit
Stockport Town Centre is going through a £1 billion transformation which includes ambitious plans to significantly increase the town centre residential offer. As such, the design guide outlines clear expectations to ensure new homes contribute to Stockport’s vision of a thriving, inclusive, and liveable town centre. It is intended to support developers, designers, and decision-makers in shaping new development.