Last Saturday marked the third Citizens’ Panel event in Staines-upon-Thames, where members tested the draft Spelthorne Design Code. In preparation, participants nominated local buildings or developments that might have benefited from a design code at the planning stage. These case studies were then assessed against the draft, revealing how early intervention could have improved features such as rooflines, windows, and vehicular access.
The two earlier Citizens’ Panel sessions, held last November, were used to co-create content for the code. That material was developed by the project team, led by David Lock Associates, into the current draft. One participant remarked that the document “reflects everything we talked about in the last sessions,” which is encouraging recognition of the collaborative process.
Thanks go to Spelthorne Borough Council for their excellent organisational support and to the residents who contributed time, ideas, and energy to help shape this meaningful design code.
