Spelthorne Design Code shortlisted for award

The Spelthorne Design Code, a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which provides further guidance for high quality-design of future development in the borough, was adopted at an Extraordinary Council Meeting on 17 March 2026. The final document is available at https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/page/1351/spelthorne-design-code

The development of the Code was community-led, with multiple stages of engagement, both virtually on the Design Code engagement hub and in-person at local schools, youth cubs, community centres and the Elmsleigh Centre. 

Notably, the Spelthorne Citizens’ Panel, a blindly selected and demographically representative group of 40+ residents, took part in workshop sessions to help shape the Code and feed in at different stages of its development. You can find out more about the Citizens’ Panel at https://designspelthorne.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/v3/citizens-panel?step=step1

The Strategic Planning team would like to thank everyone who got involved over the course of the development of the Code.

The award ceremony will take place on Thursday 4 June. You can see the shortlist of entries at https://www.planningawards.com/finalists/spelthorne-design-code-qujt1slp76j01r3

Cllr John Turner, Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee, said: “Being shortlisted for the Award for Stakeholder Engagement in Planning is a fantastic achievement and recognition of the truly collaborative approach taken to develop the Spelthorne Design Code. I would like to thank everyone who contributed their time, ideas and feedback throughout the process. The Design Code will play an important role in guiding high-quality, sustainable development across the borough, and we are proud to see this work recognised at a national level.”