Question 1

What is The Design Review Panel?

Accepted Answer

The Design Review Panel is a national independent design review provider operating across England. It is the trading name of Design Review Ltd, a company registered in England. The Panel provides structured, multidisciplinary design review for development proposals of all scales, from individual dwellings and exceptional-home proposals to major housing developments, strategic sites, masterplans and nationally significant infrastructure projects. For an overview of the Panel's services, see Design Review Services.

Question 2

What review formats are available?

Accepted Answer

The Panel offers four review formats: Major Project Design Review – Comprehensive — a seven-hour single-session review for major and complex schemes requiring fuller, more in-depth scrutiny. Major Project Design Review – Focused — a targeted single-session review for major schemes where a shorter format is sufficient. Minor Project Design Review — a focused session for residential proposals of 1–4 dwellings. Remote Desktop Design Review (Limited Scope) — a desk-based written review for defined, limited-scope proposals. The Panel's service categories are defined as follows: Minor Projects comprise residential proposals of 1–4 dwellings. Major Projects cover all other projects, including proposals of five or more dwellings and all non-residential projects. These are the Panel's service categories and do not correspond to the statutory definitions of major and minor development.

Question 3

What is the difference between Major Comprehensive and Major Focused review?

Accepted Answer

Both are live, panel-based major project reviews. The Comprehensive format is a seven-hour single session allowing more time for site familiarisation, presentation, local planning authority input, discussion and deliberation. The Focused format is a more targeted session for major schemes where the review scope is more defined and a shorter format is sufficient. Both are governed by the same Code of Conduct and quality standards.

Question 4

What is Minor Project Design Review?

Accepted Answer

Minor Project Design Review is a single-session independent review for residential proposals of 1–4 dwellings. It is commonly used for individual dwellings, bespoke residential schemes, exceptional-home proposals and schemes involving outstanding or innovative design. It provides a proportionate, panel-based review within a format matched to the scale of the scheme.

The Design Review PanelTM

Design Review Panel: quick answers

Design Review Panel: quick answers

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