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Public Space

4.2 Creating places with a heart

This section sets out design principles for creating thriving, mixed use communities with clear focal points that foster wellbeing, social interaction and economic development. Truly sustainable places require ready access to the amenities and services that underpin everyday activities: ideally within a 10-minute walk of homes.

MUST

The rules below apply to different development sizes above 10 dwellings. While it is recognised that some developments may not sustain mixed uses, a 'heart' must always be established through urban form. In this context, a public 'heart' is defined as a distinct focal space within a neighbourhood where residents come together to socialise, exercise, work, shop, or otherwise interact.

MUST

For developments of 10 -250 homes, developments must create a 'heart' through layout and form rather than use e.g., through public realm at a junction of routes.

MUST

For developments of between 250 and 500 homes, developments must have a central 'heart' that is easily accessible by active and sustainable modes of travel. This may incorporate public open space and must also have a flexible commercial, employment or community building. Where these uses can't be provided, the layout must incorporate a building with a ground floor capable of conversion (e.g. minimum 3.5m floor-to-ceiling height) to facilitate future non-residential use, such as a shop or meeting place.

MUST

For developments of over 500 homes developments must create a 'heart' through both use and design. This must be centrally located and easily reached by active and sustainable modes of travel. It must contain mixed or non-residential uses (e.g., shop, café, community hall), having a positive relationship with adjacent public space (e.g. a green or square).

SHOULD

Where mixed-use or non-residential services and facilities (e.g. cafés, community centres, schools) are provided, they should be co-located with public spaces at the centre of the site.

Co located mixed use image
Fig 4.3 An illustrative example of a major site with a mixed use local centre at its heart.

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Fig 4.4 A formal garden square overlooked by a variety of building types and uses, with on-street parking along adjacent streets. This an example of an appropriate public space located at the heart of a neighbourhood.

Sandycote village green image
Fig 4.5 An example of a public heart on a 'small site', established by an informal village green overlooked by homes on all sides.

Large-scale development should include a clear public heart established through density, layout and use. Poundbury, Dorset

An example of purely ‘physical middle’ in a rural development of 43 dwellings There are no non-residential uses, but its central location along with active frontages, greenery, and play equipment define it as a place for residents to come together. Maddocks Close, Farndon.
An example of purely ‘physical middle’ in a rural development of 43 dwellings There are no non-residential uses, but its central location along with active frontages, greenery, and play equipment define it as a place for residents to come together. Maddocks Close, Farndon.