We have re-appointed Design South East to continue to provide an independent design review service for local planning officers, developers and project teams.

Called DesignPLACE, the service is a tried and tested method of ensuring good design and improving the quality of new buildings, schemes and public spaces by offering independent, impartial and expert advice and training on major planning applications.

Design review is an integral part of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and is used by local authorities across the UK. It works by bringing together a panel of multi-disciplinary practitioners to advise on new development proposals, typically before planning applications are submitted. 

Our service has already been instrumental in evolving high quality, high density housing solutions, making sure effective design is included in local masterplans and creating the best environments for future communities to live, work and play.

How design review works

The DesignPLACE process includes briefing the panel on a new scheme and mapping out the key design issues to be addressed by the planning applicant and the local authority. It also involves:

• Arranging site visits
• Hosting panel meetings
• Summarising the panel’s advice.

The local planning authority will take the advice into account when considering planning applications.

Design input on planning matters delivers benefits for both the council’s planning team, and its clients. As Chris Lamb, director of Design South East explains:

“For the council, we help reduce officer time spent on design-related advice, particularly in complex situations where design differences need to be resolved. For planning applicants, the review process saves time and money by getting specialist advice in various areas of expertise, ensuring design issues are resolved early.” 

Find out more information about the service 

New panel members

From early May Design South East will be recruiting for new panel members to join the Brighton and Hove DesignPLACE Review Panel. For more information about joining, contact Sogand Babol on sogand@designsoutheast.org or visit the Design South East website.