Wakefield District Design Code Draft Supplementary Planning Document – Public Consultation
This is a consultation on the Wakefield District Design Code Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The consultation is from Thursday 20 November 2025 until 5pm Wednesday 14 January 2026. The statutory minimum consultation period for a Supplementary Planning Document is 4 weeks but given the length of the document (and appendices) and to reflect the timing of the consultation in relation to the festive season, the consultation will run for 8 weeks.
Wakefield Council successfully applied to become a Design Code Pathfinder in a programme led by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to support our design code process.
The document will provide detailed guidance on improving the quality of the design of development, in the context of relevant policies within the Wakefield District Local Plan (adopted 24 January 2024).
The Design Code, if adopted, will replace the existing Residential Design Guides (Housebuilders and Householders) and Street Design Guide SPDs and update masterplanning guidance.
Documents available for comment
Wakefield District Design Code Draft Supplementary Planning Document, November 2025
The Design Code can be viewed on the Design Code website: https://districtdesigncode.wakefield.gov.uk/
The website allows users to filter the Design Code content to see Codes and Guidance relevant to the type of scheme they are proposing.
A PDF version of the Design Code is also available.
You can also view and comment on the Wakefield District Design Code Supplementary Planning Document: Appendices, November 2025.
Documents available for viewing
- Wakefield District Design Code Draft Supplementary Planning Document, Initial Consultation Statement November 2025. This will set out the engagement to date to inform the content of the draft District Design Code SPD.
- Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Determination of Wakefield District Design Code Draft Supplementary Planning Document October 2025.
- Draft Checklists for different development scales: relating to the Wakefield District Design Code Draft Supplementary Planning Document November 2025. Such checklists are to be used by developers as they design their proposed development.
- Wakefield District Design Code: Viability Analysis October 2025
If you would like an accessible version of the supporting documents please call Customer Services on 0345 8 506 506.
Drop-in Session - 28 November 2025
A drop-in session where Officers will be available to answer any questions will be held on Friday 28 November 2025 from 2pm until 5pm in the Old Court Room, Wakefield Town Hall, Wood Street, Wakefield, WF1 2HQ
How to comment
A Guidance Note - How to get involved provides information on how to comment.
Please comment using the Council’s Planning Policy Consultation Portal. Please comment both on the Design Code and Appendices and also on the usability survey of the PDF and/or the Design Code website.
Paper comment forms can be provided on request by emailing wdlp@wakefield.gov.uk. Alternatively call Customer Services on 0345 8 506 506.
All comments must be submitted by no later than 5pm on Wednesday 14 January 2026. Any comments you make will be made public, alongside your name, and cannot be confidential.
You can also view consultation documents at The Council’s Wakefield One Customer Access Point, Burton Street, Wakefield. Please check opening times before visiting.
We can also send you a copy of the SEA Screening Determination by email or by post on request.
We will only use your personal information for the reasons we have collected it. For more information, please see the Planning Policy and Environment Privacy Notice.
Your comments will inform the final version of the Supplementary Planning Document. Adoption is expected in the summer of 2025.
To discuss this consultation call the Council’s 24 hour contact centre on 0345 8 506 506.