Design Code For Folkestone & Hythe District

Folkestone & Hythe District Council is asking residents for their views on the design of new development to help shape future policy.

A survey to provide input and feedback on the design and character of local development has been launched to help identify clear principles for what is built in east Kent.

A design code is a planning document that sets out specific requirements for new development. For example, it may include:

• the layout, including street pattern
• how landscaping should be approached, including the importance of streets being tree-lined
• the height of buildings and façade materials
• the environmental performance of places and buildings
• that development should clearly take account of local vernacular and heritage, architecture and materials

The final code for Folkestone & Hythe will be used to determine whether planning applications are acceptable in design terms and will support the adopted Local Plan. 

It will set specific local requirements to improve the design quality in new development.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council – along with other neighbouring councils in east Kent – has been awarded government funding through the Planning Skills Delivery Fund for the first two stages of preparing a design code – analysis and developing a vision. 

All are working with experts BPTW, Design South East and Create Streets to deliver the project. 

A Folkestone & Hythe District Council spokesperson said:

"Your feedback is a chance to positively influence future development in the district. It will help shape the overall vision of a future design code."

Residents can have their say by completing the survey before midnight on Sunday 9 November 2025.

Paper copies of the questionnaire are available on request. If you need a paper copy, please email planning.policy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk or call 01303 853000.

This is a joint project between Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe and Thanet councils. It is being led by Design South East and consultants BPTW, who are undertaking stage one and two of the process (analysis and vision) for each authority. Following completion, each council will then move onto stage three and start to individually produce their own local design codes. For more details about the project, see the design codes section of the council’s website.