Trafford Design Guide consultation ends Friday
Time is limited to have your say on a draft of the key document, which will inform the council’s future design code.
Consultation for the Trafford Design Guide launched in July, with six drop-in events held during the first few weeks of July. Trafford Council was not able to provide attendance numbers for those events.
In mid-August, Trafford Council extended the consultation to run through 9 September.
Around the same time, Cllr Liz Patel, executive member for economy and regeneration with the council, described why the consultation is important.
“The Design Guide and Design Code are intended to make sure that quality, sustainable design plays a big part in all future development across the borough, so it’s really important that anyone with a view who hasn’t already commented visits our website and leaves feedback,” Patel said.
“This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the design of future Trafford, so don’t miss the chance to play your part.”
The design guide includes checklists for designing housing, apartments, tall buildings, civic centres, public realm and more. It shows how the council will prioritise a landscape and place-led approach from those looking to develop in the borough. The guide’s ambitions include promoting design that can create a sense of place, increase economic activity, encourage civic pride, and promote activity.
Aspects of the checklists can cover everything from plans and layouts to materials to utilities.
The housing design checklist, for instance, includes a push for pitched roofs and a note to avoid making the building north-facing.
Projects that comply with the design guide are more likely to successfully move through the planning process, according to the council. Projects that depart from the design guide should provide justification for doing so.
Civic Engineers was one of the companies that assisted with the creation of the design guide.
Regarding the guide, Civic Engineers chief executive Stephen O’Malley said: “Trafford’s design guide, which we have helped to develop, is an important tool for the council to communicate their long-term vision for the borough and shape the built environment to deliver a more sustainable, happier future for the community.
“Taking a landscape-led approach which prioritises active travel, enhances connectivity and is structured around the close proximity of mixed uses, means there are more opportunities for people to experience nature in their everyday lives and take advantage of the health and wellbeing benefits that a more active lifestyle brings.”
Feedback on the design guide can be emailed to designingtrafford@trafford.gov.uk or given to the design code team by calling 0113 335 0033. The consultation website is designingtrafford.co.uk.
