PLANNING Bulletin: Issue No 22 December 2003
designing places
The launch of the policy statement Designing Places (2001) was a significant step forward in demonstrating how the value of design can contribute to the quality of all our lives. It also marked the starting point for a series of actions and initiatives, which would support the general thrust of raising design awareness.
Policy and Advice
Scottish Planning Policy (SPP1) The Planning System (revised 2002) sets out the key principles of land use planning in Scotland and reinforces the message that design is a material consideration in determining planning applications. A council may refuse an application, and defend the refusal at appeal, solely on design grounds.
This year the Executive has published a new series of design related Planning Advice Notes: Housing Quality and Design Statements.
Housing Quality
This PAN provides advice on the layout and design of new housing developments. The Executive worked on this PAN in association with Homes for Scotland and Communities Scotland, and they formed part of an advisory group consisting of a wide range of representatives from UDAL, RFACs, local authorities, architects, landscape architects and transport planners.
The aim has been to build on the general aspirations for urban design, as set out in Designing Places, and to show how attention paid to the design of housing - whether a single house or a new neighbourhood - can create areas that are distinctive, safe and pleasant, easy to get to and move around, welcoming, adaptable and resource-efficient.
Design Statements
This PAN is a useful document for developers and local authorities. It explains what a design statement is, why it is a useful tool, when it is required and how it should be prepared and presented. It also includes a site and area appraisal checklist, which comes in the form of a usable fold-out at the end of the document.
Although some architects and developers already submit design statements as a matter of course, many don't. There is a lack of consistency in those design statements which are submitted. They are often given different titles and there is wide variation in their contents, structure and overall quality. The PAN explains what design statements are, the circumstances in which they should be submitted with planning applications, how to prepare one, and how it should be structured. The aim is to ensure that applicants and planning authorities are clear about the role of design statements, and that they become a key part of the planning process.
The Deputy Minister for Communities, Mary Mulligan, said on launching the advice note 'we want to encourage the development of quality spaces where people want to live, work and spend their leisure time. This new advice does just that: it encourages developers and others to use design statements to improve the design and quality of new development'. Overall, applicants and others are likely to benefit further from a process which explains and illustrates the design principles and design concept.
