Derby’s new City Centre Design Guide (CCDG) has launched for public consultation, inviting both built environment professionals and local residents to share their views.

Created by Urban Initiatives Studio on behalf of Derby City Council, and funded by Homes England, the CCDG outlines a vision for a vibrant and sustainable city centre, ensuring that new developments, public spaces, and residential areas enhance the evolving and ambitious city centre and support its long-term growth.

The guide follows on from the ‘Towards A New Vision for Derby City Centre Ambition’ document, published in 2022, which highlighted the need to improve the design quality of the city centre and to meet the needs of its growing population.

The aim of the CCDG is to ensure that new building developments, public spaces, and residential areas all contribute to Derby’s unique character and sustainability. Divided into two sections, the first section of the guide offers general design principles for developers.

The second section offers comprehensive design guidance specific to the different character areas of the city centre. It further provides guidance on building scale, land use, movement, facades, public spaces, and green infrastructure.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said: “We encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and to have their say on the future of our beautiful city.

“The launch of the new City Centre Design Guide marks an exciting time for the future of Derby’s city centre. It is an essential part of our long-term strategy to turn the city centre into a vibrant, welcoming place with high-quality sustainable developments where people can live, work and spend their free time.”

Built environment professionals and members of the public are invited to give their feedback on the new CCDG. Two surveys have been created on the Let’s Talk Derby website with the first asking for general, anonymous views. The second survey aims to record comments on specific sections of the guide and is not anonymous.

Drop-in sessions will be held at the City Lab, in Derbion, where council officers, who are working on the project, will be present between 10am and 4pm.

The sessions will be held on Tuesday 22 October and Wednesday 13 November.

The deadline for feedback is 5pm on Monday 13 January 2025.