FAQs
- Destination and identity
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- Green infrastructure and nature
- Land use and development
What is this document?
The Broadmead Neighbourhood Design Code SPD is a proposed new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) providing guidance to support interpretation and implementation of Bristol’s Local Plan, specifically Policy DS1: Bristol City Centre.
The Broadmead Neighbourhood Design Code SPD has been prepared to shape and steer the transformation of Broadmead into a high quality, liveable urban neighbourhood. The guidance is concerned with embedding the fundamentals of high quality design into Broadmead, using principles and best practice examples to do so.
The SPD is structured by scale, covering design fundamentals at the neighbourhood, streets and spaces, building and home scale, and sets out fundamental design principles/ These fundamentals are design considerations critical to take account of from the project inception.
Why does Bristol need a Broadmead Neighbourhood Design Code SPD?
The Broadmead Neighbourhood Design Code SPD has been prepared to shape and steer the transformation of Broadmead into a high quality, liveable urban neighbourhood. The guidance is concerned with embedding the fundamentals of high quality design into Broadmead, using principles and best practice examples to do so.
The City Centre Development and Delivery Plan (the DDP), endorsed in 2023, provides a transformational vision and strategy for how the Bristol city centre should evolve in the coming years. Its purpose is to guide and influence future development and infrastructure projects that come forward within the Broadmead area and is a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications. A key objective from the DDP to create more detailed design guidance for new development. This proposed SPD is being prepared to meet that objective.
What is an SPD?
A Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) build upon and provide more detailed advice or guidance on policies in an adopted local plan. As they do not form part of the development plan, they cannot introduce new planning policies into the development plan. They are however a material consideration in decision-making.
What is a Design Code?
A design code is a set of design requirements for the physical development of a site or area. It is made up of rules that are clear, specific and unambiguous, and it should normally include extensive graphical illustrations. The code should build upon a design vision, such as a masterplan or other design and development framework for a site or area. In this case, this is the Bristol City Centre Development and Delivery Plan (2023).
Who should use the SPD?
The SPD is intended to be used to be used by all professionals involved in the planning, design and delivery of new buildings and spaces within Broadmead. This particularly extends to architects, landscape architects, urban designers, planners, engineers, developers, landowners and planning officers. The SPD can also be used by local people keen to advocate for design quality and in Broadmead and the city centre.
Where does the SPD apply?
The SPD is applicable to the area of the city centre covered by the Broadmead, Castle Park and the Old City area within Local Plan (Publication Version, November 2023) Policy DS1. This is the same boundary as used in the Bristol City Centre Development and Delivery Plan (2023). Both documents set out the need for all development to accord with design guides, codes, frameworks and strategies i.e. this SPD.
What is the City Centre Development and Delivery Plan (the DDP)?
The Bristol City Centre Development and Delivery Plan (DDP) provides a transformational vision and Strategy for how the Bristol city centre should evolve in the coming years, ensure it is an inclusive, sustainable and a reconnected place for everybody.
The DDP looks at how we can ensure the city centre is a place of diverse retail, vibrant cultural facilities, and a thriving evening economy, while at the same time the city centre is somewhere that local people can call home. The plan sets out how the vision can be realised through the consideration of six thematic strategies:
The DDP was created between 2021 to 2023, building from the adopted City Centre Framework, July 2020. The plan went out for consultation in the Summer of 2023 and was endorsed by Bristol City Council’s Cabinet in December 2023.
The document is a ‘material consideration’ for assessing planning applications, as well as Bristol City Council investment decisions in the area.
It is set out in two parts, which can be found on Supplementary planning documents practice notes and other planning guidance.
How does the SPD relate to Planning Policy?
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF, 2023) sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. The NPPF provides an overarching framework for the development of planning policies and planning decisions. NPPF paragraph 134 is clear design guidance should be set out in Supplementary Planning Documents in order to carry sufficient material weight. Paragraph 139 states that development that is not well-designed should be refused, especially where it fails to take account of supplementary planning documents such as design guides.
The Local Plan (Publication Version, November 2023) further emphasises this requirement through Policy DS1; setting out the need for all development to accord with design guides and codes.
How has this draft SPD been created?
The draft SPD has been built upon the vast research and engagement activities undertaken as part of creation of the City Centre Delivery and Development Plan, endorsed in December 2023. It builds from emerging Local Plan Polices, which have been subject to wider stakeholder input.
The Council have engaged with a number of key stakeholders are part of the preparatory process of the draft document, but this consultation is key in shaping and informing the SPD to ensure it is fit for purpose.
I want to ask a question about this SPD, who can I ask?
Please do feedback any questions and feedback about the SPD content through the survey, so we can capture and respond to these as part of the development of the document.
A public webinar will be hosted on XXXX, which will include a presentation on the key content of the SPD, and will be an opportunity for questions to be asked and answered.
If you have any questions or issues with the survey, please email CityCentreRegeneration@bristol.gov.uk.
How can I share my views?
We would welcome your views on the Broadmead Neighbourhood Design Code SPD. Please complete the consultation survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Broadmead-SPD/.
The consultation will run from Monday 9 December 2024 to Monday 27 January 2025.
When is this consultation running?
The consultation will run from Monday 9 December 2024 to Monday 27 January 2025.
What happens next?
The consultation will run from Monday 9 December 2024 to Monday 27 January 2025.
After the consultation closes, the consultation survey feedback will be analysed. The draft SPD will be updated based on the feedback received. We will then seek to adopt the SPD into policy.
How can I request an alternative version?
Alternative versions of the survey are available on request. Please email CityCentreRegeneration@bristol.gov.uk should you need a paper version or Easy read version.