Citizens' Panel

Spelthorne Design Code FAQ

General Questions

Technical Questions 

If you have any more questions, we&rsquo;d love to hear from you!&nbsp;Submit your queries below, and we&rsquo;ll try to address them by updating the FAQ.Please don&#39;t share any personal information in your question.

Library with documents related to the Design Code project.

Documents Library

This page contains a library of documents relating to Spelthorne Borough Council&rsquo;s Design Code project.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you would like to better understand what Design Codes are, please see our document below with a clear definition of a Design Code, including what the Code plans to do, what design themes it will cover, the process of its creation and general principles of the Code.&nbsp;

Read the following Design Code documents

Find out about the Spelthorne Design Code.

What are design codes?

About the Spelthorne Design Code

The Spelthorne Design Code will set out the design requirements for proposed new development in the borough. It will ensure that new development is locally supported, sustainable and functions well for all its users.&nbsp;The Design Code will be used to determine whether planning applications are acceptable in design terms, and will support the emerging Spelthorne Local Plan. It will contain simple, concise, illustrated design requirements for streets, open spaces and buildings. It will also set out expectations for good design process. It will be based on wide-ranging input including that from the local community, other stakeholders and wider understanding of the places within the borough, to ensure it is locally-supported, robust and can be used in practice. Creating a Design Code in SpelthorneSpelthorne Borough Council is preparing a new Local Plan which will include policies to shape development in the borough for the next 15 years. In support of our Local Plan there are Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) that provide more specific details and guidance on how existing and emerging policies should be implemented. The Design Code is one such document; it will support the implementation of policies relating to design matters in Spelthorne.The government&rsquo;s National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that all local planning authorities should prepare them. Producing a &lsquo;Design Code&rsquo; for the Borough is only possible with the involvement of our residents and businesses and its success depends on that collaboration.The aim of the Spelthorne Design Code is to reflect local character and design preferences; providing a framework for creating high-quality design in the borough.The council has appointed an external project team of planners, designers, and architects to help it prepare the design code, who will work closely with council officers and your elected councillors. The approach being taken by the project team is to put local people at the heart of the process. Therefore, over the next few months, the project team will be meeting with diverse groups across the area to find out what they think of Spelthorne today and what it could be like in future.

Find out more about Design CodesThe Spelthorne Design Code is being prepared in line with the Government&#39;s National Model Design Code, which provides detailed guidance on the production of design codes, guides and policies to promote successful design.<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-model-design-code" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Model Design Code</a>The Office for Place, a part of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), sets out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-place" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Office for Place</a>The Design Council, as part of the DLUHC Pathfinder programme which gathered lessons on how to create successful local design codes, has published a series of resources on design coding.<a href="https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/our-work/projects-partnerships/design-codes/#/introduction" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Design Council - Design Codes</a>

As part of developing the Design Code, we want to hear your thoughts.

Tell us about Spelthorne

As part of developing the Design Code, we want to hear your thoughts on what places you like and dislike in the borough, and why.
 This will help us develop a Design Code that reflects your views. 

Select the purple 'Have your say' button on the right of the screen. 

Drop a pin and tell us what you like about this place (or could be improved), and why?

 

Create as many pins for places you want to tell us about, your feedback is really valuable. You can also see and like others' pins.

<a href="https://designspelthorne.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/accessible-map-survey/step1" target="_blank">If you are using a screenreader - please use our accessible survey here</a>.


If you would like to further have your say, <a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Q0LWdzpIuEOpEg_oDrgvkKMoM5nisCtHijYMZX0Ye3pUOVZMU0FUOVVCSzROTklDTEdIWUpITTQzTy4u" target="_blank">you can also apply to our Citizens' Panel here</a>.


To find out more about our Citizens' Panel <a href="https://designspelthorne.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/citizens-panel/step1" target="_blank">please visit our page here</a>.

Spelthorne Map

As part of developing the Design Code, we want to hear your thoughts on what places you like and dislike in the borough, and why.This will help us develop a Design Code that reflects your views.Select the purple &#39;Have your say&#39; button on the right of the screen.Drop a pin and tell us what you like about this place (or could be improved), and why?Create as many pins for places you want to tell us about, your feedback is really valuable. You can also see and like others&#39; pins. To see step-by-step instructions on how to drop a pin and submit your views, please visit our, &nbsp;<a href="https://designspelthorne.commonplace.is/en-GB/news/how-to-guide-to-drop-a-pin-on-our-innovative-interactive-map" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#39;How to&#39; Guide here</a>. <a href="https://designspelthorne.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/accessible-map-survey/step1" target="_blank">If you are using a screenreader - please use our accessible survey here</a>.If you would like to further have your say, <a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Q0LWdzpIuEOpEg_oDrgvkKMoM5nisCtHijYMZX0Ye3pUOVZMU0FUOVVCSzROTklDTEdIWUpITTQzTy4u" target="_blank">you can also apply to our Citizens&#39; Panel here</a>.To find out more about our Citizens&#39; Panel <a href="https://designspelthorne.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/citizens-panel/step1" target="_blank">please visit our page here</a>.

Script to backfill map question ids to ObjectId

Have your say on the shaping of the Spelthorne design code. 

How to get involved

Option 1 - In Person Walking Tours

The early research stage will comprise a series of walking tours around distinct locations across the borough that give the people that know Spelthorne best &ndash; you! &ndash; an opportunity to tell the project team about the buildings, streets, and spaces that you like or dislike and why.Walking tours will last two hours maximum. Please come along prepared to share your ideas about town planning and architecture with the project team and with those who join you on the walks. The project team will note down your comments and take photos and video too.We cannot, of course, cover the whole area in 2 hours, that would be impractical, but we hope to see enough of the area in this time to get an insight into the issues that matter to you.Sign up for the date and time that works best for you. The meeting point is different for each session, so please make careful note of which one is most suited for you. In case of bad weather, the event will go ahead in the form of a focus group, to be held indoors in the venue as listed for each event.For further information, please email Laura Taylor on <a href="mailto:hello@feria-urbanism.com">hello@feria-urbanism.com</a>

Option 2- Digital Walks

If you cannot attend an in-person walk, then we are offering a digital alternative. These digital walks will last 90 mins maximum and will take place on Zoom and use Google maps to allow you to guide the project team around the parts of the borough of interest to you.This is an opportunity for you to tell the project team about the buildings, streets, and spaces that you like or dislike and why. Please be prepared to share your ideas about town planning and architecture with the project team and with those who join you on the call. The project team will note down comments in the chat function and mark the Google map with pins and comments.The advantage of the digital walks is that we can cover as much of the borough as we want during a session so we will not be restricted to a specific geographical area.Sign up for the date and time that works best for you. A Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the time of the event.For further information, please email Laura Taylor on <a href="mailto:hello@feria-urbanism.com">hello@feria-urbanism.com</a>

Event Locations

<table id="isPasted" style="margin-right: calc(0%); width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); text-align: center;">Map Area</td><td style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 15.3815%;">Location</td><td style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 68.663%;">Address</td><td style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 7.1139%;">See On Map</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2" style="background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204); text-align: center;"> 1</td><td style="background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204); width: 15.3815%;">Staines-Upon-Thames&nbsp; (Wider Area)</td><td style="background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204); width: 68.663%;">Staines Community Centre, Thames Street, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 4EA&nbsp; </td><td style="background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204); width: 7.1139%; text-align: center;"><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/3D6cF7JKiHjrUgAq6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click Here</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204); width: 15.3815%;">Staines-upon-Thames&nbsp; (Town Centre)</td><td style="background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204); width: 68.663%;">Spelthorne Jobs &amp; Skills Hub, Elmsleigh Shopping Centre, Ground Floor South Street, Staines-upon-Thames, TW18 4QB </td><td style="background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204); width: 7.1139%; text-align: center;"><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/V6CzowRcTZ3A2qpv6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click Here</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="background-color: rgb(184, 229, 250); text-align: center;">2</td><td style="background-color: rgb(184, 229, 250); width: 15.3815%;">Stanwell</td><td style="background-color: rgb(184, 229, 250); text-align: left; width: 68.663%;">Lord Knyvett Hall, 112 High Street, Stanwell , TW18 7JS </td><td style="background-color: rgb(184, 229, 250); width: 7.1139%; text-align: center;"><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/unERrNUoGVnBWZam9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click Here</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="background-color: rgb(239, 196, 180); text-align: center;">3</td><td style="background-color: rgb(239, 196, 180); width: 15.3815%;">Ashford</td><td style="background-color: rgb(239, 196, 180); width: 68.663%;">Fordbridge Centre, Clarendon Road, Ashford, TW15 2QA&nbsp; </td><td style="background-color: rgb(239, 196, 180); width: 7.1139%; text-align: center;"><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/uAihTZT6XTX29EVFA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click Here</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="background-color: rgb(248, 203, 223); text-align: center;">4</td><td style="background-color: rgb(248, 203, 223); width: 15.3815%;">Sunbury on Thames</td><td style="background-color: rgb(248, 203, 223); width: 68.663%;">Spelthorne Business Hub, Summit House, 33 Hanworth Road, Sunbury on Thames, TW16 5DA </td><td style="background-color: rgb(248, 203, 223); width: 7.1139%; text-align: center;"><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/g1jk2VRyG2ZaFPxg6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click Here</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="background-color: rgb(188, 188, 216); text-align: center;">5</td><td style="background-color: rgb(188, 188, 216); width: 15.3815%;">Shepperton</td><td style="background-color: rgb(188, 188, 216); width: 68.663%;">Greeno Centre, Glebeland Gardens, Shepperton, TW17 9DH </td><td style="background-color: rgb(188, 188, 216); width: 7.1139%; text-align: center;"><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/KbGmaKUxHADcCXU98" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click Here</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="background-color: rgb(69, 176, 225); text-align: center;"> </td><td style="background-color: rgb(69, 176, 225); width: 15.3815%;">Borough Wide</td><td style="background-color: rgb(69, 176, 225); width: 68.663%;">Digital Walk</td><td style="background-color: rgb(69, 176, 225); width: 7.1139%; text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1718283437/projects/65e1bad498b00865d16d66d1/l8wh2skhzf34odnr9xja.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original="">

Sign Up To In Person Walking Tour Events

<table style="width: 100%; margin-right: calc(0%);"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 16.9675%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);">Date</td><td style="width: 25.8123%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);">Morning 10:00 - 12:00</td><td style="width: 31.5949%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);">Afternoon 14:00 - 16:00</td><td style="width: 25.4109%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);">Evening 18:00- 20:00</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 16.9675%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);"><div style="text-align: left;">Event: TBC</div></td><td style="width: 25.8123%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(184, 229, 250);">Stanwell Morning: Sign up</td><td style="width: 31.5949%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(184, 229, 250);">Stanwell Afternoon: Sign up</td><td style="width: 25.4109%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(184, 229, 250);">Stanwell Evening: Sign up </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 16.9675%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);"><div style="text-align: left;">Friday 21st June</div></td><td style="width: 25.8123%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/920851109457?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Staines (Wider Area) Morning: Sign up</a></td><td style="width: 31.5949%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/924358620517?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Staines (Wider Area) Afternoon: Sign up</a></td><td style="width: 25.4109%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(248, 203, 223);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/924361709757?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunbury Evening: Sign up</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 16.9675%; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);">Wednesday 10th July</td><td style="width: 25.8123%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(239, 196, 180);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/920853877737?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ashford Morning: Sign up</a></td><td style="width: 31.5949%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(239, 196, 180);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/924420074327?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ashford Afternoon: Sign up</a></td><td style="width: 25.4109%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(248, 203, 223);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/924425380197?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunbury Evening: Sign up</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 16.9675%; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);">Thursday 11th July</td><td style="width: 25.8123%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(248, 203, 223);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/920854309027?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunbury Morning: Sign up</a></td><td style="width: 31.5949%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(248, 203, 223);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/924430024087?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunbury Afternoon: Sign up</a></td><td style="width: 25.4109%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(239, 196, 180);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spelthorne-design-code-in-person-walk-tickets-932387866207" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ashford Evening: Sign up</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 16.9675%; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);">Friday 12th July</td><td style="width: 25.8123%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(188, 188, 216);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/920854680137?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shepperton Morning: Sign up</a></td><td style="width: 31.5949%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(188, 188, 216);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/920855442417?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shepperton Afternoon: Sign up</a></td><td style="width: 25.4109%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(188, 188, 216);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spelthorne-design-code-in-person-walk-tickets-932391998567" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shepperton Evening: Sign up</a> </td></tr><tr><td style="width: 16.9675%; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217);"><div style="text-align: left;">Thursday 18th July</div></td><td style="width: 25.8123%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/920855442417?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Staines (Town Centre) Morning: Sign up</a></td><td style="width: 31.5949%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/924447827337?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Staines (Town Centre) Afternoon: Sign up</a></td><td style="width: 25.4109%; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 251, 204);"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/924447827337?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Staines (Town Centre) Evening: Sign up</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

Sign Up To Digital Walk Events

<table style="width: 100%; margin-right: calc(0%);"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 100%; background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); text-align: center;">Evening 19:30 - 21:00</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100%; background-color: rgb(69, 176, 225); text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/920856485537?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Monday 24th June: Sign up</a></td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100%; background-color: rgb(69, 176, 225); text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/920870467357?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tuesday 2nd July: Sign up</a></td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100%; background-color: rgb(69, 176, 225); text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/920871129337?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Monday 8th July: Sign up</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table>

<ul id="isPasted"><li>Have you wondered about how buildings, streets, parks and gardens around you were designed and built?</li><li>Do you ask yourself why homes, offices and shopping centres look the way they do?</li><li>Have you got a favourite building?</li><li>Do you want to find out more about architecture, urban design and town planning?</li><li>Do you want to help shape the future of the place where you live?</li></ul>Then we want to hear from you to help develop the Spelthorne Design Code. As part of Stage 1, we are learning all about the borough, its places, and your priorities for well-designed future development.Choose an option from above to find out about events near you.

If you’ve got questions, we want to hear from you! 

Design Code FAQ

If you&#39;ve got questions, we&rsquo;d love to hear from you!&nbsp;Submit your queries below, and we&rsquo;ll make sure to address them in our upcoming FAQSubscribe for updates and we&#39;ll alert you once the FAQ is ready.Please don&#39;t share any personal information in your question.

Citizens' Panel    

What is a citizens&#39; Panel?&nbsp;&nbsp;Our Citizens&#39; Panel brings people from across Spelthorne to inform and help create a new Design Code for the Borough. &nbsp;Our goal is to democratise Spelthorne&#39;s planning process, empowering local communities to shape the definition of good design in their area. This community-led approach will help co-produce a Design Code for the Borough, which will set the standards for new developments which are coming forward. &nbsp;&nbsp;Citizens&#39; Panel Details&nbsp;&nbsp;Our aim is to recruit between 40 and 50 members. When applications close, we will select the panel members blindly so that they are demographically representative of the Borough, bringing together a diverse range of people to discuss and understand the issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;Members of the Panel will need to be available to participate in three focus sessions. If you are selected to participate, we will give you &pound;100 in high-street vouchers as a thank you for your time. Please see more details in the Brief below. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How to get involved?&nbsp;Applications to be a part of the Panel are open now.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Q0LWdzpIuEOpEg_oDrgvkKMoM5nisCtHijYMZX0Ye3pUOVZMU0FUOVVCSzROTklDTEdIWUpITTQzTy4u" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Q0LWdzpIuEOpEg_oDrgvkKMoM5nisCtHijYMZX0Ye3pUOVZMU0FUOVVCSzROTklDTEdIWUpITTQzTy4u" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apply here</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Citizens' Panel

Citizens' Panel

Check out the following Citizens' Panel Brief