Design

“Design is a word which for many means aesthetic or appearance, rather than a process that has to be gone through to produce an agreed product. As far as planning is concerned design is not just about appearance, it is about how the characteristics of a site are identified, interpreted by a skilled designer and combined with the needs of a clear brief to produce a quality built environment. Into the process has to be introduced the needs of society which are expressed in various ways through the planning system. The Government now offers considerable guidance as to how design is considered a material consideration when determining a planning application.”
Planning Inspectorate Journal Issue 10 1997

Government Guidance

Planning Policy Guidance - PPGs and Planning Policy Statements PPSs

Good Design is important for all development types in all locations. The government has a variety of planning policy guidance and planning policy statements which may be relevant for any one application. The government is currently reviewing all PPGs. As the new PPSs are published they can be found on the Communities and Local Government web site

“Good design ensures attractive, usable, durable and adaptable places and is a key element in achieving sustainable development. Good design is indivisible from good planning.” PPS1 para 33

The most important design related statements are found in the following national policy guidance:

PPS1 – Delivering sustainable development
PPS3 – Housing
PPS5 – Planning for the Historic Environment
PPS7 _ Sustainable development in rural areas

By Design – Urban Design in the Planning System

By Design is intended as a companion to the PPGs and PPSs. It aims to encourage better design and thinking about urban design.

By Design – Urban Design in the Planning System: towards better practice sets out the following seven design objectives:

Character – a place with its own identity
Continuity and Enclosure – a place where public and private spaces are clearly distinguished
Quality public realm – a place with attractive and successful outdoor areas
Ease of Movement – a place that is easy to get to and move through
Legibility – a place that has a clear image and easy to understand
Adaptability – a place that can change easily
Diversity – a place with variety and choice

Local Guidance

Supplementary Planning Guidance SPGs and Supplementary Planning Documents SPDs

“Development will be permitted only where it maintains, or wherever possible, enhances the quality and character of the built environment. Planning applications will be expected to show a good quality of design”. Unity Development Plan policy D1

Supplementary planning guides and supplementary planning documents provide local planning guidance about issues that need to be addressed as part of any development proposals. SPGs and SPDs are adopted and are a material consideration in determining planning applications. They cover a wide variety of issues and can be found on the Development Briefs and Design Guides page of the Council’s website. Some SPGs relate specifically to a site or area but the following cover non-site specific design issues.

Countryside Design Summary
Residential Infill
Extending Your Home
Advertisement and Shopfronts
Residential Layouts
Conversion of Rural buildings
Replacement Dwellings in the Countryside
Design for community Safety

Submitting Better Planning and Listed Building Applications

In order to give yourself the best possible chance of gaining planning permission, it is essential that you present your proposals fully, clearly and accurately. Failure to do so will result in the application being delayed or being refused which costs you time and money. Unless you have the necessary skills it is advisable to employ a qualified architect or planning consultant to act as your agent.

A short guide, Making Better Planning Applications and Making Better Applications for Listed Building Consent have been published by English Historic Towns Forum.

There are a wide range of design guides published by the Design Council CABE wed site

Design and Access Statements - how to write, read and use them.

Design and Access statements : Clause 42 of the planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 says that all relevant applications must be accompanied by a statement about the design and access principles that have informed the development.

The work involved in preparing a design statement corresponds with the steps normally carried out in a proper design process. A design and access statement should be a record of these steps. A design statement should not be a justification for a pre-determined design solution.

Guidance notes about Design and Access statements are issued with Planning Application forms but further information can be found on the CABE wed site

Building in the Historic Environment

Designing new buildings in the historic environment requires exceptional skill

PPS 5 - Planning and the historic environment, says:

“Local planning authorities are encouraged to seek well-conceived and inspirational design that is founded on a full understanding of local context”. Para 44 PPS5 Practice Guide

Further guidance on designing for historic environments can be found in Building-in-context New Development in Historic Areas by CABE.

Manual for Streets

The Manual for Streets (MfS) supersedes Design Bulletin 32 and its companion guide Places, Streets and Movement. Manual for Streets is predominantly for the design, construction, adoption and maintenance of new residential streets but is also applicable to existing residential streets subject to re-design.

MfS aims to assist in the creation of streets that:

Help to build and strengthen the communities they serve.
Meet the needs of all users, by embodying the principles of inclusive design.
Form part of a well-connected network.
Are attractive and have their own distinctive identity.
Are cost effective to construct and maintain; and
Are safe.

Building a Better Environment

Practical advice on adding value to your site can be found in a document called A guide for Developers Building a Better environment

“We know that development doesn’t have to harm the environment. Well located, planned and designed, it can actually make improvements to the environment and provide a better place to live.”

A guide for developers is an essential tool to use in the early stage of development. It provides Environment Agency advice on making sure development contributes to the long-term environmental quality of our Island.

Page last updated on: 25/10/2011