Design Vision for Canterbury District

The council is asking residents for their views on the design of new development, to help shape the vision for a new Design Code for Canterbury District.

A design code is a planning document that sets out specific design requirements for new development. For example:

• the layout, including street pattern
• how landscaping should be approached, including the importance of streets being tree-lined
• the height of buildings and façade materials

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) recommends that design codes be produced for local areas as one of a suite of tools to ensure design quality in new developments.

The council, along with other neighbouring councils in East Kent, has been awarded government funding through the Planning Skills Delivery Fund for the first stage of preparing a design code – developing a vision.

We are working with experts BPTW, Design South East and Create Streets to deliver the project.

This consultation closed on 9 November 2025. Thank you to all who took part.

Published: 29 September 2025