Design Code for Staffordshire Streets to be Updated After 25 Years

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

Staffordshire County Council has approved its first update in 25 years to the Highways Design Code for residential streets, providing clearer and mandatory standards for developers amid increased housing construction. The revised code emphasizes safety, sustainability, and community-focused features such as tree planting and pedestrian-friendly design to ensure well-planned neighborhoods as the county meets national housing targets.

Staffordshire County Council is set to update its Highways Design Code for residential streets for the first time in 25 years, aiming to provide clearer guidance for developers amid a surge in housing construction across the county. The revised document, approved by the council’s cabinet this month, will guide how new residential streets are designed and set minimum standards developers must meet.

Councillor Peter Mason, cabinet member for strategic highways, noted that the last comprehensive street design guidance was published in 2000. While some national guidance from 2007 has been partially applied since then, the county’s updated code formally consolidates best practices and engineering experience developed over the years. The new design code is intended specifically for residential areas and emphasizes the role streets play in shaping communities.

The update comes as local districts and boroughs in Staffordshire prepare to accommodate thousands of new homes to meet nationally mandated targets through their Local Plans. The design code is structured to assist developers throughout the entire project lifecycle, from early planning stages through to the eventual adoption and maintenance of completed roads.

Councillor Mason explained that the code sets out minimum requirements, rather than aspirational goals, providing clarity and consistency across Staffordshire. It also supports long-term stewardship and resilience of street designs to meet community expectations. The council has worked closely with district and borough councils, allowing them either to adopt the code directly or reference it within their own planning frameworks for uniformity.

Among the key details addressed in the code is tree planting, in line with National Planning Policy Framework requirements that all new streets be tree-lined unless safety concerns prevent this. The code recommends species tailored to the ecological conditions of different parts of the county, ensuring new developments align with local environments.

Public safety measures are also emphasized, including lower-speed roads, improved pedestrian crossings, and more direct walking and cycling routes. Mason stressed the importance of establishing a minimum level of design control amid the growing pace of development to help create well-designed, safe, and sustainable neighborhoods.

The updated code aims not only to enhance the appearance and functionality of residential streets but also to foster inclusive, desirable living environments across Staffordshire over the coming decades.

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