The Design Review PanelTM

Explore the vital role of independent design review panels in enhancing development quality and sustainability in this insightful RTPI event, featuring three expert speakers from The Design Review Panel: Bill Soper, Jonathan Vernon Smith, and Louise Baugh. This film provides an in-depth look at how The Design Review Panel’s independent, multidisciplinary, and impartial approach offers unique value to developers, architects, urban designers, and local authorities. Hear directly from our panellists as they explain what sets The Design Review Panel apart as one of the few truly independent review bodies in the UK, with no contractual obligations to developers or local authorities. With over 130 expert volunteers nationwide, the DRP brings together specialists across architecture, town planning, landscape architecture, ecology, transport planning, and more. Watch as the team walks through a real case study—a conservation area project in Stoneygate, Leicester—to showcase the DRP’s collaborative approach to addressing scale, heritage context, and sustainable design challenges in complex settings. Our panellists also highlight the benefits of early, constructive feedback and the impact of integrating landscape and architectural design from the outset. Discover how the DRP supports applicants, design teams, and local authorities in achieving well-balanced, context-sensitive, and high-quality proposals. Meet the Speakers: * Bill Soper – A Chartered Architect and Town Planner, Bill has over 30 years of experience in private practice as an equity Partner at TP Bennett, specialising in architecture and planning integration. With a longstanding commitment to sustainable design and urban planning, Bill brings a valuable perspective on how independent review can streamline complex projects and improve quality across the built environment. * Jonathan Vernon Smith – A Chartered Architect and Urban Designer and Director at Urban Design box, with a primary focus on urban design. Jonathan has spent more than a decade with the DRP, reviewing projects across a wide spectrum, from small residential schemes to large-scale urban developments. His extensive experience in private practice and planning appeals nationwide lends a pragmatic, design-focused lens to the review process. * Louise Baugh – As a Chartered Landscape Architect and Director at Swan Paul Partnership, Louise has worked across public, charitable, and private sectors for over 15 years, specialising in landscape-led design and biodiversity enhancement. Her expertise in conservation, sustainable landscapes, and placemaking is instrumental in guiding projects towards a cohesive, environmentally responsible vision. Whether you’re a developer, architect, planner, or local authority professional, this video demonstrates how independent, expert review can be an invaluable part of the planning process, ultimately saving time and cost by refining designs early. For more on The Design Review Panel, visit our website at https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk where you can learn more about our services, volunteer opportunities, and how we support sustainable, design-led developments across the UK. #DesignReviewPanel #architecture #UrbanDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #TownPlanning #SustainableDevelopment #IndependentReview #RTPI #BuiltEnvironment #PlanningProcess #ConservationArea #UKPlanning #ArchitecturalReview #PlaceMaking #Ecology #PublicRealm #SustainableDesign #DevelopmentProjects #DesignExcellence #ConstructionIndustry #PlanningSupport #DesignConsultation #PlanningApproval #BuildingBetter

How crucial is impartiality & independence for local authority-run Design Review Panels? This question isn't merely academic; it's one that has real-life implications for the integrity of the design review panel process & the legal & competitive landscape of urban planning. An appeal decision in South Cambridgeshire in 2023. The Planning Inspectorate emphasized the importance of considering independent & impartial Design Review Panel recommendations in decision-making processes. The crux of the matter isn't the affiliation of the design review Panel, whether local or national, but rather the quality & impartiality of the Panel's feedback & suggestions. The insistence by some local authorities on using specific design review panels, particularly those they operate or with which they have contractual arrangements, can be problematic. An independent design review panel offers unbiased, objective feedback, ensuring that design choices are based on the project's merit, quality, & suitability. This impartiality safeguards the public interest & upholds the integrity of the design review process. Practices by local authorities that favour their own Design Review Panels might contravene Chapters i & ii of the Competition Act of 1998.These laws inhibit anti-competitive agreements & the abuse of a dominant position. Such behaviour might also be in opposition to the Local Government Act of 2020. https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk #designreviewpanel #designreview #architecture #townplanning #urbandesign #landscapearchitecture

🎥 Exclusive Q&A with The Design Review Panel – RTPI Conference Highlights! 🎥 Dive into the world of independent design review in this unfiltered Q&A session from the recent RTPI South West conference, where top experts from The Design Review Panel answer pressing questions on design, planning, sustainability, and more! Join Bill Soper, Jonathan Vernon Smith, and Louise Baugh as they discuss real challenges and solutions that come from working on the UK’s most complex and sensitive projects. Their candid responses cover the advantages of independent feedback, balancing design with conservation, and strategies for adding value to development projects. If you’re a developer, architect, planner, or built environment professional, this Q&A gives you firsthand insight into how independent review can transform your project outcomes and provide a fresh, impartial perspective. What’s covered in this video? How The Design Review Panel supports design teams with expert, impartial advice Real examples of how early-stage feedback can refine and elevate project proposals Tips for aligning designs with conservation, sustainability, and community impact goals The unique role of The Design Review Panel in helping navigate complex planning challenges Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from seasoned professionals with over 30 years of experience across architecture, planning, and landscape design. Find out more about The Design Review Panel and our services at https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk – where we support sustainable, high-quality development through impartial, expert guidance. #DesignReviewPanel #UrbanDesign #RTPI #Architecture #Planning #SustainableDevelopment #IndependentReview #BuiltEnvironment #LandscapeArchitecture #PlaceMaking

A 25 minute film of a presentation given by Dr Matt Cowley – Director at EAD Ecology Matt's presentation details Mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain in the planning process and an Integrated Approach to Design. Matt's presentation explores the potential implications for developers and designers. ___________________________________________________________________ The Design Review Panel (https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) was launched in 2013 upon the invitation of a group of local authorities to provide impartial, independent, multidisciplinary and expert peer review to design teams, applicants and local authorities. As stated within the NPPF, the Design Review Panel's feedback is a material consideration for local authorities and the planning inspectorate when determining planning applications. The Design Review Panel provides its services directly to applicants as well as to local authorities. The Design Review Panel operates nationally across England including in:- Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, City of London, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, London, Manchester, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne and Wear, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Sussex, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire & Worcestershire. (https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk)

A 40 minute film of a presentation given by ‘Jenny Clifford – Head of Planning, Economy & Regeneration at Mid Devon District Council & Paul Brockway - Project leader for the Culm Garden Village, Hyas Associates. Jenny's presentation explores the need for, and importance of, good design in the planning process, Mid Devon Design Guide- LA view, Reflections on work undertaken by Mid Devon District Council to date and a strategic project focus looking at Culm Garden Village. Paul's presentation explores garden communities and large scale growth and development proposals, Brief history of Culm Garden Village, design approach and work to date and using the design review panel process (https:/www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) on garden communities. ___________________________________________________________________ The Design Review Panel (https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) was launched in 2013 upon the invitation of a group of local authorities to provide impartial, independent, multidisciplinary and expert peer review to design teams, applicants and local authorities. As stated within the NPPF, the Design Review Panel's feedback is a material consideration for local authorities and the planning inspectorate when determining planning applications. The Design Review Panel provides its services directly to applicants as well as to local authorities. The Design Review Panel operates nationally across England including in:- Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, City of London, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, London, Manchester, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne and Wear, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Sussex, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire & Worcestershire. (https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk)

A 33 minute film of a presentation given by Richard Hawkes, Chartered Architect and director at Hawkes Architecture www.hawkesarchitecture.co.uk Richard's presentation starts with his own experience of building a para 79 house (as featured on Grand Designs) and explores the planning policy requirements set out at paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy (NPPF), which allows for the building of isolated dwellings of exceptional quality in the countryside. Richards Architects practice (Hawkes Architecture) is the only architectural practice in the UK to almost exclusively specialise in the design of Para 79 houses of exceptional quality and innovative nature of design. They have an enviable track record and have an unparalleled level of success obtaining consent for proposals submitted under this unique UK planning policy. Often these projects have been in highly sensitive areas of the open countryside, including Green Belt, AONBs, Heritage Coast and even within a Scheduled Ancient Monument. ___________________________________________________________________ The Design Review Panel (https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) was launched in 2013 upon the invitation of a group of local authorities to provide impartial, independent, multidisciplinary and expert peer review to design teams, applicants and local authorities. As stated within the NPPF, the Design Review Panel's feedback is a material consideration for local authorities and the planning inspectorate when determining planning applications. The Design Review Panel provides its services directly to applicants as well as to local authorities. The Design Review Panel operates nationally across England including in:- Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, City of London, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, London, Manchester, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne and Wear, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Sussex, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire & Worcestershire. (https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk)

A 38 minute film of a presentation given by David Hawes Urban Designer and director at DHUD. David's presentation explores the process of creating a local authority design guide as well as what design guides should contain. David is an experienced Urban Designer with a portfolio in Strategic Master-planning and Place Making but equipped with the tools to design detailed and deliverable solutions in the built environment. David provides advice to a range of clients including private landowners & developers, Local Authorities and public sector bodies. David works in a collaborative way, engaging with consultant teams, the public and stakeholders, using design to advocate options and build consensus. David has also provided teaching input at the University of Southampton and is a teaching fellow at the University of Hertfordshire with a module lead role and responsibilities in Urban Design lecturing and tutoring. David was part of the 2003 EDAW London Olympic Bid team, preparing the masterplan for the Lower Lea Valley including the Olympics Games & Legacy masterplans. Working with LHC Urbanism in the South West, David has been instrumental in the award-winning scheme to regenerate the West End of the City of Plymouth and led the team for the award-winning Ker Street Area Development, Devonport. David now works independently as a consultant to various partners and directly for a range of clients. He has had a wide-reaching role in providing design support to communities and local authorities in response to the Hinkley Point C Nuclear Reactor proposals, assisted Bath & North East Somerset in their Core Strategy deliverability testing including designing for a wide range of sites in and around the City of Bath UNESCO World Heritage Area and is currently preparing an area regeneration strategy for the town centre Devonshire ward in Eastbourne. ___________________________________________________________________ The Design Review Panel (https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) was launched in 2013 upon the invitation of a group of local authorities to provide impartial, independent, multidisciplinary and expert peer review to design teams, applicants and local authorities. As stated within the NPPF, the Design Review Panel's feedback is a material consideration for local authorities and the planning inspectorate when determining planning applications. The Design Review Panel provides its services directly to applicants as well as to local authorities. The Design Review Panel operates nationally across England including in:- Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, City of London, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, London, Manchester, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne and Wear, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Sussex, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire & Worcestershire. (https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk)

This 25 minute film is the talk given by Redrow Homes's Design Manager and Architect, Elaine Olphert, who was our second speaker on the Design Review Panel CPD / Training day. Elaine's talk details her experience of the Design Review Panel as an Architect and Design Manager for Redrow Homes (previously of Persimmon Homes) as well as a volunteer Design Review Panel member. She explores the housing delivery challenge being faced by the industry, the social and economic value of good design and how she thinks the Design Review Panel process can help to de-risk and speed up the planning process as well as help to deliver a financially more valuable product for commercial private sector house builders. __________________________________________________________________ The Design Review Panel (https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) was launched in 2013 upon the invitation of a group of local authorities to provide impartial, independent, multidisciplinary and expert peer review to design teams, applicants and local authorities. Since then the Panel has expanded and provides regular design review panel sessions across the south west (Cornwall, Plymouth, South hams, West Devon, North Devon, East Devon, Mid Devon, Exeter, West Somerset, Taunton, Mendip, South Somerset, North Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Swindon, Bath and Bristol) The Panel also provides remote desktop reviews nationally and ad-hoc sessions upon request nationally. Design Review Panel feedback is a material consideration in the Planning process. Paragraph 62 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states:- "Local planning authorities should have local design review arrangements in place to provide assessment and support to ensure high standards of design ... In assessing applications, local planning authorities should have regard to the recommendations from the design review panel." www.designreviewpanel.co.uk

A fifty minute film of a presentation given by Jonathan Tricker, a Highway Engineer, Urban Designer and Director (SW) of Phil Jones Associates entitled '‘Highway Design in Placemaking’ Jonathan's information packed film explores what makes good places form a highways perspective. He refers to as built examples, industry guides, literature and regulations as well as case studies of projects reviewed as part of the Design Review Panel process. Jonathan's talk also explores Street Design. __________________________________________________________________ The Design Review Panel (https://www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) was launched in 2013 upon the invitation of a group of local authorities to provide impartial, independent, multidisciplinary and expert peer review to design teams, applicants and local authorities.