The value of good design The design quality and sustainability of our countryside, villages, towns and cities is essential to achieving many strategic objectives (including health and well being for future generations) shared by local authorities regardless of their political affiliation . Well-designed places : - • Improve the quality of people’s lives ; including improving peoples physical and mental health • Attract and retain skilled and ambitious people, visitors and investors • Provide the space and connections for entrepreneurs to establish themselves and local businesses to thrive, encouraging growth and job creation • Promote walking, cycling and access to green space, encouraging healthy lifestyles & reducing the impact of cars on our environment • Use energy and water efficiently and cope better with extreme weather • Are accessible for all , whatever their age and abilities • Can r educe crime and anti-social behaviour Well-designed new developments , that can demonstrate the above, are more likely to be acceptable to local residents . Local authorities have lots of factors to consider: such as ensuring there is sufficient housing and jobs, keeping traffic moving, providing community facilities, keeping people safe. Design is not just one more objective to be considered; it is the key to delivering all the other objectives as cost- effectively as possible and in the best possible way such as to have a positive impact upon peoples lives, now and in the future; good design does not need to cost more money . "The creation of high quality buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve. Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities" - NPPF
Case Study: Plymouth City Council Design Review Panel
The Plymouth Design Review Panel was established in 2013 and since then has reviewed many of the most strategic major developments in the city as well as lots of smaller schemes. Panel members, some of whom are locally based, have developed a good knowledge of Plymouth and the surrounding areas. Planning officers and elected members place great weight on the feedback from design review panel meetings and value the expertise The Design Review Panel brings to examining planning proposals.
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