The role of design in delivering high quality sustainable
development is strongly stressed within the new planning
system.
“design which is inappropriate
in its context, or which fails to take the opportunities available
for improving the character and quality of an area and the way it
functions, should not be accepted”
(Planning policy Statement 1: 34,
ODPM 2005).
Reasonably thorough generic guidance on design principles and
the application of good design in development is available at
national level and empowered by PPS1: 37 – see key references
below. Particular emphasis is placed upon managing scale, density,
massing, height, landscape, layout and access in relation to both
neighbouring buildings and neighbourhoods without stifling
innovation and stylistic expression where appropriate. The
importance of reflecting local distinctiveness is emphasised, as
too the particular sensitivities of rural areas (for the latter see
Plannning Policy Statement 7, ODPM 2004). The requirement to submit
Design and Access Statements with all new planning applications
mean that it is now necessary for all applicants to clearly
articulate the principles underpinning any proposed scheme, and to
demonstrate consideration of national planning guidance.
Informing the Planning Process: Townscape and Conservation
Area Appraisal
Planning Policy Stement 3: 18 (DCLG 2006) gives particular
encouragement to the use of design tools such as coding and design
statements, while character appraisal is an established approach in
Conservation Areas backed by Planning Policy Guidance 15: 4.4 (DoE
1995). Purbeck District Council is currently undertaking a review
and appraisal of its 24 Conservation Areas, and has commisioned
consultants to undertake broader townscape studies of the
District’s towns and principal villages. These will play an
important role in informing the character of future
development.
Informing the Planning Process: District Design
Guidance
The District Council will be compiling design guidance to assist in
the delivery of design which reflects and reinforces local
distinctiveness and character and delivers objectives of
sustainable development.
The Objectives of Good Design
To summarise the objectives of Design in planning as set out by
National planning policy and guidance; the application of high
quality design in development seeks to create:
• Places with character which respond well to their
context, and which help to reinforce local distinctiveness and
identity (e.g. through informed use of materials and layout with
attention paid to massing, height, plan form and position within an
established urban structure);
• Places which are legible with good separation between public
and private realms (e.g. through use of enclosure, human scale,
hierarchy landmarks and other visual cues);
• Places which are well connected and minimise the need to
travel (e.g. through ensuring new development fits within an
established urban structure and gives access a range of public
transport options);
• Places with successful and interesting public spaces (e.g.
through use of high quality street furniture, public art,
landscaping, use and maintenance of local paving materials);
• Places which are adaptable (e.g. through provision of
building units which can undergo change of use with minimal
works);
• Places which contain a mixture of uses and tenures (e.g.
through provision of flats above shops, housing development which
contain properties covering a range of sizes and including
‘affordable’ or rented properties);
• Places which are safe and promote safety (e.g. through use
of overlooking, traffic calming, enclosure, lighting);
• Places which are accessible to all (e.g. through ensuring
development does not create barriers to use by those with
compromised mobility);
• Places which promote healthy lifestyles (e.g. through
providing ‘walkable’ layouts, provision for cyclists, public
exercise space);
• Places which maximise the efficient use of land (e.g.
through use of higher density development, block layouts,
terracing);
• Places which minimise the consumption of energy and
resources both in inception and over the lifetime of a development
(e.g. through maximising use of ‘green’ building products, reusing
redundant buildings, ensuring high levels of insulation,
incorporating features for sustainable use of water and capacity
for on site energy generation);
• Places which maximise use of land (e.g. through control of
density and through use of efficient layout and development
form);
• Places which encourage activity and interaction at ground
floor level (e.g. through provision of active frontages, layouts
based around on-street parking);
• Places which protect and provide interesting views and
relationships (e.g. through careful use of layout and three
dimensional form and the coordination of this with public space and
public realm strategies);
• Places which are interesting and attractive (e.g. through
attention to and provision of detail in building design and public
realm provision);
• Places which employ high quality architecture (e.g. through
avoiding use of ‘anywhere’ designs and cheap materials which lack
local distinctiveness);
• Places which are innovative and which add value (e.g.
through use of contemporary design and avoidance of ‘budget’
solutions);
• Places which support and promote biodiversity (e.g. through
protection and provision of habitats as part of a development
scheme).
Key Guidance and References (External
Links)
Most of the following can be viewed online or downloaded.
Planning Policy:
Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development
(ODPM, 2005)
Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (DCLG, 2006)
Planning Policy Statement 7: Sustainable Development in Rural Areas
(ODPM, 2004)
Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological
Conservation (ODPM, 2005).
Design Guides and Guidance:
By Design,
Urban Design in the Planning System: Towards Better Practice (DETR,
2000)
By
Design, Better Places to Live (DTLR, 2001)
Streets for All: Southwest (English Heritage, 2005)
Manual for
Streets (DoT, DCLG, 2007)
Biodiversity by Design (TCPA, 2004)
Sustainable
Energy By Design (TCPA)
Building in Context (CABE, English Heritage, 2001)
Urban Design Compendium 1 (English Partnerships)
Urban Design Compendium 2 (English Partnerships)