Neighbourhood Design Statements

People are often familiar with the idea of a village design statement – but urban communities can take a similar lead in producing a local design statement setting out how they want their neighbourhood to look.

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People are often familiar with the idea of a village design statement - but urban communities can take a similar lead in producing a local design statement setting out how they want their neighbourhood to look.

In more detail

A Neighbourhood Design Statement relates to the visual character of a place: it says how things buildings, land, roads and other features should look.   If it is adopted by the local council, it can form part of the evidence they consider in determining permission for new development.  In this way, a design statement can help make sure that new development does not undermine the visual character of the neighbourhood.

Neighbourhood Design Statements cannot specify what type of development should take place; what buildings are used for; how your neighbourhood should be served by public services; or what communities will do for themselves to make the neighbourhood a better place to live.

Anyone who lives in the neighbourhood can start the process of putting together a local design statement.  It only has any value, however, if it is adopted by the local council.  If you want to have your statement adopted, you will need to:

  • Persuade the local councillors (including the parish councillors if you have a parish council), other residents and businesses that it is needed and that it says the right things.
  • Talk to planning officers to find out the council’s policy on whether, and in what form, it accepts local design statements.
  • Look at the Local Planning Framework including any existing Local Plan covering your neighbourhood to make sure that whatever is said in your design statement is compatible with what they say.

Key Facts:

A Neighbourhood Design Statement may be an alternative or a first step towards making a Neighbourhood Plan.  It sets out an agreed vision of the locality in terms of visual character.  It is taken into account when determining planning permission.

Page Links from here

Neighbourhood Planning

Conservation Area

 


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BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY PLANNING TOOLKIT DEFINITION SHEET This sheet may be reproduced in paper or electromic or any other form but please mention it was made by Chamberlain Forum Limited for Birmingham City Council supported by Department for Communities and Local Government.

created: 2016-06-13 20:03:44 by: admin status: f published