Design is becoming a more prominent feature of planning policy. The recent new requirement for design and access statements to be submitted with planning applications is an indication of this (see design and access page). Some local planning authorities are already using these as a vehicle to raising design standards (and thus environmental quality) in their areas.
It is thus increasingly important that the design issues relating to proposed developments are properly resolved at the earliest possible stage. This can save substantial sums in design fees and wasted time.
I can offer:
advice on how to approach specific development proposals in a way that will optimise site development value and speed of progress through the planning system.
the preparation of design and access statements for proposals to be submitted in outline (see design and access page).
the preparation of concept designs for proposals at urban design and individual building scale, with a design and access statement for subsequent full development by others.
"rescue packages" and troubleshooting for cases in which design issues have gone seriously wrong and need to be resolved minimum cost.
negotiations with local planning authorities on design issues at pre-application stage, when things have gone wrong and at appeal.
the development of design policy for local planning authorities at both local development document and supplementary planning document levels.
assistance with the critical analysis of emerging design policy, for landowners and developers, including its testing at examinations for soundness.
expert witness services in appeals.