Design

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
PPS6 – Planning for town centres
PPS7 _ Sustainable development in rural areas
PPS12_ Local Development frameworks
PPG13 – Transport
PPG15 _ Planning and the historic environment
PPG17 _ Planning for open space

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

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, has been published by English Historic Towns Forum.

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 website.