Design Code
We have developed a Design Code that will guide good and consistent design principles for Three Spires and have been engaging closely with Tangmere Parish Council and Chichester District Council on the evolution of the code in recent months.
What is a Design Code?
A Design Code is a set of specific design rules and requirements which guide the physical development of a site. This will set out the vision and key principles for the development to support upcoming detailed (known as ‘reserved matter’) planning applications.
One Village Vision - Please click to enlarge
Character Areas
Within the design code, character areas are used to structure the masterplan into smaller, coherent zones. A character area is a distinct part of a place defined by its particular identity and sense of place.
Each area is guided by consistent principles of form, layout, and landscape, ensuring that while the overall scheme remains unified, different parts of the site retain their own recognisable qualities.
The masterplan proposes 4-character areas and aims to create an attractive place that builds on the identity of Tangmere and enriches the lives of the community at its heart, embodying the ‘One Village’ vision.
Some character areas extend into the existing village (hatch zones) to denote locations where the proposals must establish a seamless interface. These extensions beyond the planning application boundary do not in any way infer additional development potential and would not be a material consideration for any future development outside the red line boundary.
Character Areas - Please click an icon for more information on each character area
Access and Movement
The approved Access and Movement Parameter Plan fixes the principle access points, main streets, principle footways and cycleways for future reserved matters applications. These can be viewed on the map shown here.
Landscaping and open space
The approved Open Space and Strategic Landscape Parameter Plan fixes the principle locations and typologies for open space for future reserved matters applications.
Reserved Matters Phasing
We are preparing the first two reserved matters planning applications for Three Spires. Both applications focus on the site’s infrastructure and do not include residential or commercial elements, which will be submitted at a later stage.
Submission dates for the initial infrastructure reserved matters applications (IRM) are:
IRM1 November 2025 - focusing on the yellow areas on the plan, including site access road to the north of the site, landscaping and bunding, together with site-wide attenuation to manage drainage.
IRM2 November 2025 - focusing on the blue areas on the plan, including internal roads.
IRM3 and IRM4 Spring 2026 - focusing on the purple and red areas on the plan, including open space. Further reserved matters applications will be brought forward over the coming months in relation to infrastructure and residential elements.
Reserved Matters Infrastructure areas plan - Please click to enlarge