About the Design Code
The Design Code provides a vision for design quality and sets out clear requirements (codes) and guidance to achieve this.
Westmorland and Furness Council are creating one for the whole council area (excluding those parts within the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks). Once adopted the Design Code will become a Supplementary Planning Document used to help shape the design of future developments.
The information provided by the Design Code will help developers and builders know what is acceptable so they can submit better planning applications. For larger projects that might be developed over many years and several planning applications, design codes can also help to keep things consistent over time.
The Design Code is about providing additional guidance to existing Local Plan policies to inform the design of development; it does not give permission or stipulate where development should go. If you wish to know more about the Local Plan visit our Local Plan webpage.
The Design Code
We have prepared a Design Code following public consultation on the Draft Design Code. The Design Code is built around a vision and a clear set of values that translate into detailed codes that are then applied to a range of development types.
We consulted on the Draft Design Code between Monday 3 November to Sunday 14 December 2025.
Responses to the Draft Design Code Short Survey can be viewed here.
The Design Code chapters along with other supporting documents are available to view below. The Draft Design Code chapters are available if required upon request at localplan@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Design Code Documents
- Introduction and Character (PDF / 11.9MB) – covers vision and values, policy context, guidance on how to use the Design Code, and a detailed assessment of the identity of the district.
- Greenfield Homes Large (10 or more homes) (PDF / 18.9MB)
- Greenfield Homes Small (less than 10 homes) (PDF / 12.4MB)
- Brownfield Homes Large (10 or more homes) (PDF / 11.0MB)
- Brownfield Homes Small (less than 10 homes) (PDF / 9.1MB)
- Rural Replacement Dwelling (PDF / 8.4MB)
- Conversion of Larger Buildings to Homes (PDF / 4.3MB)
- Barn Conversions (PDF / 6.6MB)
- House Extensions and Alterations (PDF / 3.2MB)
- Holiday Parks, Cabins and Campsites (PDF / 2.0MB)
- Greenfield Business (PDF / 3.6MB)
- Brownfield Business (PDF / 2.9MB)
- Shopfronts (PDF / 5.4MB)
- Other Development (PDF / 15.0MB)
Consultation Statement
- Appendix 2a Design Code SPD Consultation Statement (PDF / 247KB)
- Appendix 2b Design Code Schedule of Changes (PDF / 1.0MB)
- Appendix 2c Westmorland and Furness Design Code Consultation Report (PDF / 2.6MB)
Other supporting Documents
The following suite of documents support and supplement the Draft Design Code:
- Viability Statement (PDF / 290KB)
- Glossary (PDF / 208KB)
- Summary Character Appraisal (PDF / 22.6MB)
- Strategic Environmental Assessment / Habitats Regulations Assessment (PDF / 444KB)
- Baseline Review (PDF / 2.4MB)
What happens next?
The final Design Code will be a digital document, making it a user-friendly online tool.
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Please follow the link below to add your contact details to our Local Plan Consultation Database.