Design at a glance

A quick reference wall chart

guide to national design policy

‘ If we deliver poor design, we
know that we will not deliver
sustainable development’
L ord Rooker, planning minister, House of
Lords, Jan 04
‘ Good design is indivisible
from good planning’
Para 33 of planning policy statement 1
(PPS1), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
(ODPM), 2005
Design at a glance
Good design is important for all development types in all
locations. This means a variety of planning policy guidance
and planning policy statements may be relevant for any
one application, and it can be difficult to find the right
policy quickly. To help, CABE has drawn together the most
important design-related statements found throughout
national policy and guidance. The quotes are accurate and are
here to be copied and quoted, for example, in policy writing,
negotiations, letters, decisions, reports or appeals.
The key documents listed all supplement the various PPGs
and PPSs. They can be found through the CABE or ODPM
websites. The government is in the process of reviewing
all PPGs. As new PPSs are published, updated electronic
versions of this guide will be available from www.cabe.org.uk.
Design and access statements: Clause 42 of the Planning and Compulsory
Purchase Act 2004 says that all relevant applications must be accompanied
by a statement about the design and access principles that have informed the
development. Further guidance can be found in CABE’s guidance Design and
access statements: How to write, read and use them (Cabe 2006) and in Circular
Guidance on changes to the development control system 2006 (ODPM, 2006).
Delivering sustainable ‘Good design ensures attractive, usable, durable and adaptable
places and is a key element in achieving sustainable development.
development PPS1, says: Good design is indivisible from good planning.’ (para 33)

‘Planning policies should promote high-quality inclusive design in the layout of

new developments and individual buildings in terms of function and impact, not
just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development. Design which fails
to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an
area should not be accepted’. (key principle (iv), para 13)

‘Good design should contribute positively to making

places better for people.’ (para 34)

‘High-quality and inclusive design should be the aim of all

those involved in the development process.’ (para 35)

‘Planning authorities should prepare robust policies on design and access…

based on stated objectives for the future of the area and an understanding
and evaluation of its present defining characteristics.’ (para 36)

‘ Good design should contribute ‘Planning authorities should have regard to good practice
positively to making places set out in By design – urban design in the planning system:
better for people’ towards better practice. (ODPM, CABE 2000)’ (para 37)
Housing draft PPS3, says:
‘C reating places, streets
and spaces which meets
the needs of people’
Planning for town centres
PPS6, says:
‘ Fit for purpose, comfortable,
safe, attractive, accessible,
and durable’
‘Developments should be attractive, safe and designed
and built to a high quality.’ (para 1)
‘[Local plans and policies should be aimed at] creating places, streets and
spaces which meets the needs of people; which are attractive, have their
own distinctive identity, and positively improve local character.’ (para 34a)
‘New development should be of high quality inclusive design and
layout…and be informed by its wider context, having regard not just
to neighbouring buildings but to the townscape and landscape of the
wider locality… The key test should be whether a development positively
improves the character of an area and the way it functions.’ (para 37)
‘It is essential that town centres provide a high-quality and safe environment
if they are to remain attractive and competitive. Well designed public spaces
and buildings, which are fit for purpose, comfortable, safe, attractive,
accessible and durable, are key elements which can improve the health,
vitality and economic potential of a town centre. Policies for the design
of development for main town centre uses, regardless of location, and for
development in town centres, should promote high quality and inclusive
design, in order to improve the character and quality of the area in which
such development is located and the way it functions.’ (para 2.19)
Also see Planning for town centres: guidance on design
and implementation tools (ODPM 2005).
Sustainable development ‘Very occasionally the exceptional quality and innovative nature of
the design of a proposed, isolated new house may provide [this]
in rural areas PPS7, says: special justification for granting planning permission.’ (para 11)

‘Planning authorities should take a positive approach to innovative,

high-quality contemporary designs that are sensitive to their
immediate setting and help to make country towns and villages
better places for people to live and work.’ (para 12)

‘Planning authorities should ensure that development…contributes to

‘ Take a positive approach a sense of local identity and regional diversity and be of an appropriate
to innovative high-quality design and scale for its location, having regard to the policies on
contemporary designs’ design contained in PPS1 and supported in By design.’ (para 12)

Local development ‘In preparing local development documents (LDDs) LPAs must include policies
on design and access… PPS1 makes clear that good design…is crucial to
frameworks PPS12, says: the delivery of sustainable development, not separate from it.’ (para 1.12)

‘Well-designed development responds well to the local physical, social and

economic context, being safe, clean, attractive and accessible for all users.
LDDs should therefore include policies that set out strategic design and
access objectives in line with PPS1 and relevant good practice.’ (para 1.13)

‘ Include policies that set ‘LDDs relating to specific areas could usefully inform the implementation
out strategic design and of strategic design policies by including design policies that relate to
access objectives’ local conditions and objectives.’ (para 1.14)
Transport PPG13, says: ‘LPAs should actively manage the pattern of urban growth to make the fullest
use of public transport…and seek by the design and layout of developments
and areas, to secure community safety and road safety.’ (para 6)

‘When thinking about new development, and in adapting existing development,

the needs and safety of all in the community should be considered from the
‘ Seek by the design and outset…taking account of the importance of good design.’ (para 29)
layout of developments and
areas, to secure community Also see Places streets and movement: a companion
safety and road safety’ guide to design bulletin 32 (ODPM 1998).

Planning and the historic ‘The design of new buildings intended to stand alongside historic buildings needs
very careful consideration. In general it is better that old buildings are not set apart,
environment P PG15, says: but are woven into the fabric of the living and working community.’ (para 2.11)

‘New buildings do not have to copy their older neighbours in detail.

‘ New buildings do not Some of the most interesting streets include a variety of building
have to copy their styles, materials and forms of construction, of many different
older neighbours’ periods, but together forming a harmonious group.’ (para 2.14)
Planning for open space ‘Local networks of high quality and well-managed open space help
create urban environments that are attractive, clean and safe and can
PPG17, says: play a major part in improving people’s sense of well being.’ (page 2)

‘LPAs should…audit open space facilities… Audits of quality will be particularly

important as they will allow local authorities to identify potential for increased
use through better design, management and maintenance.’ (page 3)

‘New open spaces should improve the quality of the public realm
through good design.’ (page 20)
‘ Improve the quality
of the public realm Also see Assessing needs and opportunities: PPG17
through good design’ companion guide (ODPM 2002).
Getting design • We review public space, landscape and infrastructure
projects, masterplans, policies and guidance, not just

review involved building projects.

• We strongly encourage pre-application or public

CABE is a non-statutory planning consultation discussion. Please do not wait for formal
consultation to talk to us.
consultee, and our design review team
provides free advice on the design of • Our comments will normally be on general design principles
selected projects. This service includes and concepts, not details.
advice from distinguished practitioners
• Requests for our input can come from the local authority,
from a range of professions. the developer, client or consultant. We aim to work

with all parties.
Design review facts
• We have a finite capacity and cannot guarantee that we are
able to comment. We prioritise cases and focus on those
• We assess projects that will have significant impact
where there has been an early, direct request for advice.
at more than the local level. These might include:
– key public buildings
• Our publication Design review (March 2002) explains how
– projects affecting key sites or sensitive areas
schemes are evaluated. This is available from our website.
–  projects that raise out of the ordinary design issues
–  projects that set design standards for
• If you would like to consult design review, send details of
future development.
the scheme, including drawings, design statements and

other relevant information, to the address on the
back of this leaflet.
By design – urban design in the planning
system: towards better practice sets out
the following seven design objectives:
Character – a place with its own identity
Planning should promote character in townscape and
landscape by responding to and reinforcing locally
distinctive patterns of development, landscape and culture.
Continuity and enclosure – a place where public and
private spaces are clearly distinguished
Planning should promote continuity of street frontages and
enclosure of space by development which clearly defines
private and public areas.
Quality of the public realm – a place with
attractive and successful outdoor areas
Planning should promote public spaces and routes that are
attractive, safe, uncluttered and work effectively for all in
society, including disabled and elderly people.
Ease of movement – a place that is easy to
get to and move through
Planning should promote accessibility and local
permeability by making places that connect with each design… and is drawn up around a limited number
other and are easy to move through, putting people before
traffic and integrating land uses and transport.
Legibility – a place that has a clear image and
is easy to understand
Planning should promote legibility through development
that provides recognisable routes, intersections and
landmarks to help people find their way around.
Adaptability – a place that can change easily
Planning should promote adaptability through development
that can respond to changing social, technological and
economic conditions.
Diversity – a place with variety and choice
Planning should promote diversity and choice through a mix
of compatible developments and uses that work together to
create viable places that respond to local needs.
By design ‘provides sound, practical advice to help
implement the government’s commitment to good
of simple but compelling principles’
(Foreword to By design ODPM, CABE 2000)
 This award winning
development in central
Liverpool, by Urban
Splash, combines new
and renovated buildings
on a triangular site. It has
helped lift the quality and
character of the area and
offers local people a mix
of facilities.
Old Haymarket, Liverpool © David Millington Photography Ltd

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Design at a glance – the most important
design related policy statements and
guidance drawn together in a quick
reference wall chart.

May 2006