Knowledge

Design-related tools

Tool: design statements

Design statements provide an assessment of the area’s character and its surroundings, its qualities and distinctiveness and provide guidance for any new development, to make sure it fits in with its local context.

Example of tool in use (1): Town design statement group for Great Dunmow in Essex and Village Design Statement for Thaxted, Essex

An independent group was formed, with town council support, to produce a town design statement. The process used some innovative techniques to engage and about 2000 people out of the town of 7500 made some kind of comment or contribution. The local youth group built a model of the whole town. The finished product has been cited as good practice in the East.

One of its hallmarks is a broad approach, encompassing all aspects of the environment but without treading on the LPA's toes with respect to development sites. This can be difficult to get over to people, who may feel they want 'no more development'. The local authority, Uttlesford District Council adopted the TDS.

In Thaxted a group recently published their Village Design Statement and they too had a good level of public engagement. The production standard of the guide is second to none - most impressive. That too has been adopted by the Council and can be accessed on its website.

Further information

Contributed by Neil Blackshaw MRTPI

Example of tool in use (2): Chalfont St Peter, Bucks

Chalfont St Peter has a population of nearly 13,000. Planning Aid facilitated workshops for the Village Design Statement (currently in substantive draft form) and advised on taking forward the Village Appraisal to form a Parish Plan. Residents are interested in a Neighbourhood Plan under the Localism Bill (when enacted) that will take in the Parish Plan, VDS, and more.

Other examples:

In Kent the VDSs include Leeds Parish (final draft stage), Detling Parish (recently adopted) and Marden Parish (2001).
In Sussex the VDSs include Fernhurst, Angmering, Loxwood and others.
In Hampshire: Basingstoke and Deane VDSs include Dummer, Kingsclere, Sherbourne St John, Tadley, Cliddesden, East Woodhay, Overton, Lasham, Whitchurch, Baughurst, Oakley and Deane.
New Forest District Council has adopted the Fordingbridge Town Design Statement.
On the Isle of Wight, Planning Aid assisted Freshwater VDS, Totland (draft stage) and Chale (recognised by IOW Council but not adopted because of delays in the Core Strategy). Chale, now ready to update their Parish Plan, want to start on a Neighbourhood Plan to embrace the PP and the VDS.

Further information

Contributed by Philip A Turner MRTPI, Volunteer, Planning Aid England

Example of tool in use (3): Market Town Health Check/Town Design Statement in Alton and Petersfield, Hampshire

Alton, population 17,000, has undertaken a Market Town Healthcheck and a Town Design Statement. Petersfield is the second Town Design Statement adopted as non-statutory planning guidance by East Hants DC. Other design statements adopted as SPG by EHDC have included Liss VDS, Lasham, Rowlands Castle and East Meon.

Further information

Contributed by Philip A Turner MRTPI, Volunteer, Planning Aid England

Tool: Design Review

CABE has recently been exploring ways that design review can support local community groups involved in development proposals. CABE has worked closely with affiliated design review panels to involve community led project clients and local community representatives in the design review process and provide them with an opportunity to express their views and to engage with the panel’s comments. Reviews have been held in Cumbria, Yorkshire, Cornwall and London.

Through these pilots CABE found that design review could successfully involve the community in the process, through a number of minor changes to the usual design review format. The review provided a unique opportunity in the life of a project to bring everyone involved together to discuss design issues. It provided a supportive way to ensure that a proposal really meets the needs and aspirations of those in its community.

Contributed by Kathy MacEwan, Design Council

Tool: Local Development Order and design guide

Local Development Orders (LDOs) allow the LPA to grant permission for specified classes of development within a designated area. This can be thought of as extending the General Permitted Development Order, which grants permission for certain classes of development (for example certain domestic extensions and changes of use).

Example of tool in use: Carnon Downs

A village design guide and Local Development Order have been produced for Carnon Downs. The LDO is currently with the SoS awaiting final adoption. The design guide provides the evidence and rationale for the LDO and was developed through a project team approach that was led and supported by Cornwall Council and fully involved local residents.

This process greatly improved communication and mutual understanding between Cornwall Council and the parish on all planning matters. Positive outcomes from the Design Guide include:

All contentious planning applications now influenced in some way.
Parish Council reviews planning applications differently and more professionally.
Relationships with Cornwall Council improved.
Parish Plan objectives met.
Guide provides evidence base for future pre-application discussions.
The basis for input to local spatial planning

The LDO Extended Rights will permit (within certain limitations):