Shropshire Council is proposing three new design guidance documents that would support new developments in achieving high-quality designs that create better places to live and work, improve sustainability, and support health and wellbeing.
A consultation on all three runs from 17 October to 19 December 2025.
The draft Design of New Dwellings Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) would provide guidance for all new dwellings in Shropshire, addressing such issues as layout, character & appearance, connectivity, inclusivity, sustainability, and function.
The draft Design of Residential Extensions & Alterations SPD would provide guidance for residential extensions & alterations across Shropshire, addressing such issues as siting; form and scale; materials, finishes and fenestration; and minimising impact on neighbours.
The draft Shrewsbury Town Centre Design Code would provide guidance for businesses, investors, developers, and council officers on how to achieve good design in the town centre. It addresses various aspects of design, including movement, nature, built form, identity, public space, uses, homes, and resources.
The council is keen to hear views on each of these draft document, and to support those wanting to respond has prepared a response form for each.
David Walker, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning, said:
“To meet the needs of our communities, we recognise the importance of providing new housing and the flexibility to undertake appropriate extensions and alterations to existing housing. We want to support such development to achieve the highest design quality that promotes health & wellbeing, improves sustainability and creates better places for our communities to live and work.
“The draft design guidance for new housing and residential extensions & alterations provide the opportunity to support those undertaking new or extending existing housing. Through these consultations we would value your feedback on this guidance.
“Complementary to this wider guidance, further design coding for new development in Shrewsbury town centre has been prepared, recognising the areas relationship with the River Severn, medieval street patterns, landmark buildings, and open spaces. We would also value feedback on this design code.”
To find out more, view the draft documents, and access the response forms please following the appropriate link to the Shropshire Council website.
• Draft Design of New Dwellings SPD
• Draft Design of Residential Extensions & Alterations SPD
• Draft Shrewsbury Town Centre Design Code
