Design advice and design publications

General

When considering applications for new development, redevelopment or alterations and extensions to existing buildings, the Council will expect a high standard of design and layout.

The Council has published a number of design advice leaflets and supplementary guidance which may be of assistance. Some of the key ones are listed below (hard copies are available on request):

• Shopfront design guide
• Housing density
• high density housing development
• Plot-Subdivision: infilling and backland development
• Urban areas of special residential character
• Outlook, amenity, privacy and daylight
• Residential boundary treatment
• House extensions
• Telecommunications masts and antennae
• Light pollution and
• Design statements: Notes for applicants and agents.

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Design and access statements

There is now a legal requirement that a Design and Access Statement must be submitted for all full and outline planning applications (including applications for listed building consent), except for the following:

• a material change of use of land or buildings unless that also involves operational development
• engineering or mining operations
• development of an existing dwelling house or within the curtilage if a dwelling house where no part of that dwelling house is within a 'designated area' of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Site of Special Scientific Interest or in a Conservation Area
• advertisement applications
• Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and
• applications for the storage of hazardous substances.

Guidance on the content of Design and Access Statements is contained in DCLG Circular 01/2006 Guidance on Changes to the Development Control System. The advice takes into account the legislative requirements and Circular Guidance.

A detailed Guide on how to prepare a Design and Access Statement has been published by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) now part of the Design Council.

As well as the Council's Guidance note on Design Statements, please see our publications page for other publications on urban design.

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Listed buildings and conservation areas

For specific advice on development involving listed buildings or within conservation areas go to the sections on historic environment, conservation areas and listed buildings.