A new design code has been launched to improve the quality, safety and resilience of streets in new housing developments across Lincolnshire.

The Better Streets for Lincolnshire initiative aims to make it easier for developers to meet the county council's standards while helping ensure new roads are safer, better designed and built to last.

The code sets out clear guidance for developers from the start of the planning process, outlining what is needed before roads can be adopted and maintained by Lincolnshire County Council.

Road adoption is the process by which the county council takes responsibility for maintaining a new road once it has been built to the required standard.

Coun Danny Brookes: There's been a lot of hard work behind the scenes.'

placeholder image — Coun Danny Brookes: There's been a lot of hard work behind the scenes.'

The new guidance incorporates Lincolnshire-specific requirements, including drainage, flood risk, street layouts and long-term maintenance, with the aim of creating more resilient neighbourhoods while reducing delays during the planning process.

A new website has also been launched, featuring a checklist designed to help developers submit complete applications first time, cutting preparation time and helping planning officers deal with proposals more efficiently.

Councillor Danny Brookes, executive councillor for planning and environment at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "There's been a lot of hard work behind the scenes that has brought this project to life, and although good street design and drainage often goes unnoticed, the impact of this work will benefit huge numbers of people in new developments going forward.

"Our communities will get safer roads that are designed with local risks and needs in mind, developers in the county will get clearer guidance through the process, reduced delays and the cost savings that come along with those, and as a council we'll see processes streamlined and more consistent applications to review.

"Most importantly, it's adopting a more localised approach to street design which looks to prioritise the needs of our communities from the outset. It's a clear demonstration of our commitment to work with developers to encourage the right developments in the right places across Lincolnshire."

The Better Streets for Lincolnshire website provides guidance and best practice for developers to help deliver high-quality streets that are safer, more resilient to flooding and easier to maintain in the future.