A design code for future Staffordshire streets is being updated for the first time in 25 years.

Thousands of new homes are expected to be built across the county in the coming years, as districts and boroughs are required to meet nationally-set targets through their Local Plans.

Developers building the properties will be given guidance on how new residential streets should look, as well as minimum standards to meet, though Staffordshire County Council's latest Highways Design Code.

The document was approved by members of the council's cabinet at their meeting this month (September 16).

Cllr Peter Mason, cabinet member for strategic highways, said: "Staffordshire County Council last published guidance on street design back in 2000 – 26 years ago.

"In 2007, the national guidance manual for streets was updated and since then parts of the existing guidance have been used and the officers and engineers have been using their experience, best practice and knowledge to deal with applications.

"This design code is specifically for residential streets, for looking at the places where they live and how they create our communities.

"As it's been so long, it was well overdue an update.

"On this design code we've consulted with the district and borough councils, in a way they can either adopt and embed this within their own codes, or better still they can signpost to ours so it's always up to date and consistent across the whole of Staffordshire.

"It's structured to assist developers through the project lifestyle, from pre-planning engagement through to adoption of the roads.

"The aim of the code is to secure well-designed streets and public spaces and ensure clarity and consistency through every stage.

"It provides minimum requirements to developers – it is not maximum aspirations – and we can go beyond the code, developers often will do that.

"It enables us to ensure the long-term stewardship, maintenance and resilience of that design meets the expectations for that development in the future.

"It establishes the council's priorities around making places that people want to live in, how they move around them, how they're included, the safety, sustainability and the long-term maintenance of those areas."

Details covered include tree planting. The National Planning Policy Framework now legislates all new streets must be tree lined, unless there are safety issues, a report to the cabinet said.

Public safety is also highlighted, through measures such as lower-speed roads, better pedestrian crossings and more direct walking and cycling routes.

Cllr Mason added: "Tree-planting schemes have been tailored to areas, so the recommended species of trees and planting in the north of Staffordshire are different in this code to those in the south of the county, to try and ensure that new places have a synergy in alignment to the areas in which they are being place.

"It's important, given the pressure of development and the number of new developments we're seeing, that for Staffordshire we put some guidance and control and expectations around this as a minimum, in order to deliver those good communities and environments people want to live in."