Following the design review meeting
After the design review session, a written document will be issued summarising the views of the Panel. Our written feedback is issued via email within 1 4 working days. If the promoters or local authority need the report earlier, to meet a planning or funding deadline, we will do our best to oblige. Our Feedback documents are a clear and concise written summary that may also include suggestions and recommendations. The feedback documnet also incorporates a bullet point summary for easy reference. The aim of the feedback is to assist and encourage developers/advisors in achieving better quality development proposals. In the case of live planning applications, The Design Review Panels feedback document may become a public document and should be considered as a material planning consideration. We are happy to amend a feedback document to correct any f actual error s, h owever, we cannot change the suggestions or opinions contained in the report. It should be noted that the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) gives the opinions of design review panels weight in planning decisions. Where design review opinion differs from that of statutory consultees it is important to remember that in most cases the advice of statutory consultees is not mandatory.
What if the design review panel does not support the views of the local authority ?
As well as being independent, one of the key features of design review is that it is ‘advisory’. We are not there to make the planning decision for the local authority. Our advice is rarely ‘black or white’; we will say if we think there are fundamental problems with a scheme or whether we broadly support it. Whatever we think of it, we will make suggestions as to how it could be improved. A confident local authority will be happy to enter into that constructive discussion and make best use of the advice the Panel gives. You do not have to follow the Panel’s advice, just show you have given it weight. Sometimes the Panel will challenge the local authority. We may suggest that you should be more pro-active in planning the area around a development site, making improvements to the public realm or take a firmer line when statutory consultees are being unhelpful. Again, if you are open and confident about what you are doing you will view this as constructive advice, take it in the spirit it is given, and respond accordingly.
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