Design Thinking
News | National Planning Policy Framework Response
Design West has submitted its response to the Government’s consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and wider changes to the planning system.
Our Response
As a centre of excellence for design and placemaking, Design West works across the South West to support the creation of better, healthier places for people and the planet. Through its Design Review services, the organisation works with a multidisciplinary panel of experts, giving it first-hand insight into the challenges and opportunities facing the development sector.
"Good design is essential to creating thriving, healthy and successful places"
Design West broadly welcomes the Government’s increased emphasis on the role of design in the planning process. However, it recommends that the updated NPPF and the supporting Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance should be strengthened to fully reflect the essential role of design in delivering healthy, sustainable and successful places.
Dr Anna Rutherford, CEO said: “This policy update is a positive step towards delivering the well-designed, connected and healthy places people need. However, there is a missed opportunity to recognise good design as essential to creating thriving and successful places. Rather than a separate consideration, design is central to addressing long-term challenges around economic prosperity, health, housing inequality, biodiversity loss and the transition to net zero.”
Design West supports several of the proposed changes, including the restructuring of the NPPF, the introduction of a new chapter on ‘Achieving Well-Designed Places’, the development of Spatial Development Strategies, and the introduction of National Development Management Policies.
The Value of Design
The South West is expected to play an important role in meeting national housing targets, with three of the twelve New Towns locations shortlisted by the independent Taskforce located in the region. While Design West supports development that helps address the ongoing housing crisis, it emphasises that the delivery of new homes must be matched by a strong commitment to high-quality design and placemaking.
In its response, Design West also highlights the value of design review as a tool to support both planning applications and the development of local planning policy and strategic site allocations. Early engagement in design review can help refine proposals before designs are fixed, reducing development risk and increased upstream costs and supports a more collaborative design process.
The draft marks a positive step towards recognising the value of design for people and the planet.
Read the response in full
To find out more about Design Review contact hilary.cuddy@designwest.org.uk
