The Government published its National Design Guide (with accompanying new Design: process & tools section in the NPPG) on 1st October 2019. These documents seek to reinforce the NPPF guidance with regard to the delivery of high quality places and buildings that benefit people and communities. The Design Guide contains 10 characteristics relating to Context; Identity; Built Form; Movement; Nature; Public Spaces; Uses; Homes & buildings; Resources; and Lifespan.
A number of design threads run through the guidance, in particular the importance of landscape character and provision of well-designed hard and soft landscaping. The incorporation of high-quality and integrated public spaces incorporating a variety of landscapes and activities, including play, is a critical component of well-designed places.
With regard to the new NPPG section on Design tools and process, key points to note in terms of landscape are: