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The Forum Exeter, Devon

An RIBA south west award wining building at Exeter University in Devon; The Forum. This building benefited from design review during the design and pre-planning stage

Design Review Panel Training 2018

Design Review Panel training session carried out in Taunton and the Somerset County Cricket Ground in November 2018. The event was extremely well attended by local authority representatives, house builders and design team members

Exeter Quay by Jonathan Braddick

Photograph of Exeter Quay taken by Architect and Design Review Panel Manager Jonathan Braddick. The Design Review Panel holds regular design review panel sessions at Exeter City Council

Design Review Panel Training 2018

Design Review Panel training event 2018. Jonathan Tricker, Highways Engineer, Urban Designer & Director at Phil Jones Associates, gave a talk entitled: ‘Highway Design in Placemaking’

Steiner School Exeter

The design review Panel was engaged by Willmott Dixon during the pre-application design stage of the project to help them prepare a design that would be acceptable to the local authority

Design Review Panel Site Visit Poole

Photograph from a 2018 design review panel site visit carried out in Dorset in 2018. A full sit down design review panel was subsequently held in the Poole Borough Council Offices

North Grays Farm Para 80 House

External visualization for a NPPF paragraph 55 (now 79) house that was presented to the design review panel. This project has subsequently gone on to achieve planning permission and is now built on site

Design Review Panel Training 2017

Design Review Panel training session carried out in Exeter, Devon in December 2017. The event was extremely well attended by local authority representatives, house builders and design team members

Exeter Quay - Rockfish Restaurant

A small but sensitive project in Exeter Quay; The Rockfish Restaurant has been designed by Grainge Architects who engaged with The Design Review Panel during the design & pre -application planning stage

Extra Care Development by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects

Pegasus Life secured planning permission through public inquiry for a Sarah Wigglesworth Architects scheme for a C2 assisted living community at The Knowle, Sidmouth, Devon. The Design Review Panel (www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) were instructed by East Devon District Council (EDDC) to provide multidisciplinary, expert, independent and impartial guidance and feedback to the local authority, applicant and design team during the pre-application design stage.

Plymouth Hoe

Photograph of Plymouth Hoe, Devon. The Design Review Panel holds regular design review panel sessions at Plymouth City Council

Design Review Panel Training

Design Review Panel training session carried out in Exeter, Devon. The event was extremely well attended and incorporated a mock design review panel session and design workshop.

A Case Study in Exceptional Design & Planning Approval for a NPPF Para 84e House in Buckinghamshire

Writer's picture: Jonathan BraddickJonathan Braddick

Site Address: Grove Hill Farm Woods Buckingham Road Tingewick Buckinghamshire MK18 4AE

Proposal: Application for the erection of a new dwelling, together with incidental outbuildings (comprising garden store, lambing shed, machinery store, and log and equipment store), and other associated development.

Local Authority Ref: 23/01709/APP

Local Authority: Buckinghamshire Council

Delegated Decision Date: 24/12/2024


The Design Review Panel is delighted to share another success story that showcases the critical role independent, multidisciplinary design review panels play in shaping outstanding architecture.

Durrants Yard Para 84e House Approved in Buckinghamshire - Aerial View upon approach
Aerial view of a modern, eco-friendly architectural design nestled in a lush forest setting, showcasing sustainable elements and harmonious integration with nature - Image thanks to Hawkes Architecture - https://www.hawkesarchitecture.co.uk/

The recent planning approval of a Paragraph 84e home at Durrants Yard, Grove Farm Woods, Buckinghamshire, stands as a testament to how impartial expert feedback can elevate projects to exceptional levels and enable the granting of planning permission. This unique dwelling received planning approval under delegated powers on Christmas Eve 2024, marking a milestone for the design team and the planning process.


A Unique Proposal in a Woodland Setting


Durrants Yard is located within a woodland plantation established in the 1990s, set amidst the remnants of a former World War II military camp. The proposal is for the construction of a new dwelling of exceptional architectural quality under Paragraph 84e of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The site also includes incidental outbuildings such as a garden store, lambing shed, and machinery store. Surrounded by woodland, with glimpses of nearby pastoral fields and a golf course, the project aims to enhance the ecological value of the area while integrating harmoniously into its historical and natural context.

Aerial view of the Site - a woodland plantation established in the 1990s, set amidst the remnants of a former World War II military camp.


Aerial view of the Site - a woodland plantation established in the 1990s, set amidst the remnants of a former World War II military camp.
Aerial view of a woodland plantation established in the 1990s, nestled among the remnants of a former World War II military camp.

A Journey of Collaboration and Refinement


Durrants Yard underwent a rigorous design and review process, engaging The Design Review Panel on three occasions: 15th March 2022 (including a site visit), 8th December 2022, and 16th March 2023. Each session brought together professionals from various disciplines (including architecture, ecology, landscape architecture and low energy design) to provide constructive feedback and help to ensure the design met the exceptionally high standards set by Paragraph 84e of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).


The first session incorporated a site visit, which proved invaluable in understanding the unique context and setting of the site. The woodland location, its historical significance as a World War II military camp, and the ecological considerations required a sensitive and thoughtful approach to design.

The first design review panel session incoorporated an in-person site visit which enable the Panel to obtain a good understanding of the site character and its setting.
Design Review Panel members engage in a comprehensive site visit to better understand the unique characteristics and setting, aiding in the first design review panel session - www.designreviewpanel.co.uk

The Architect's Testimonial


Richard Hawkes, Architect and Director at Hawkes Architecture, reflects on the journey:


“A much-welcomed early Christmas present from Buckinghamshire Council on Christmas Eve 2024 delegating approval for our proposals for an exceptional new Paragraph 84e dwelling set within a woodland plantation on the site of a former World War II camp.


The proposals draw reference to the former camp whilst providing and enhancing connections within the woodland in a manner that sensitively and imaginatively reflects the heritage of the site. We were immensely grateful for the DRP’s [The Design Review Panel – www,designreviewpanel.co.uk] proactive and collaborative approach, allowing good time for a thorough site visit, as well as plenty of time to properly present the scheme and receive thoughtful feedback and suggestions.


Now to deal with discharging what seems to be an ever-increasing list of conditions before a spade can go in the ground, which is hoped might happen in the autumn this year.”



The Panel’s Insights


The Design Review Panel's feedback evolved alongside the design, ensuring every iteration addressed key concerns and opportunities. For example, the Panel’s initial session emphasised the need for the architecture to align more cohesively with the landscape analysis, while subsequent sessions commended the refinement of the design and its alignment with the historical and ecological characteristics of the site.

From the outset, the Panel recognised the potential for this project to meet the stringent tests of Paragraph 84e. By the third session, the Panel unequivocally endorsed the proposal as meeting the criteria, stating:


“The extremely high bar set by Paragraph 84e of the NPPF is noted; however, the Panel unequivocally now considers that the project has successfully met the requirements of this policy.”


Feedback included praise for the ecological enhancements proposed, the sensitive integration of the building within the woodland, and the innovative approach to sustainable design, including cradle-to-grave carbon considerations.

Architectural rendering of the approved Para 84e House at Durrants Yard in Buckinghamshire, showcasing a modern design with brick elements and large glass panels, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding woodland.
Architectural rendering of the approved Para 84e House at Durrants Yard in Buckinghamshire, showcasing a modern design with brick elements and large glass panels, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding woodland.

Significant Weight in the Decision-Making Process


The Delegated Officer Report from Buckinghamshire Council highlighted the influence of The Design Review Panel’s feedback. Paragraph 138 of the NPPF emphasises that recommendations from design review panels are material considerations in planning decisions. The Officer’s report stated the following:-


“The DRP [The Design Review Panel] concluded that the project successfully met the requirements of Paragraph 84e of the NPPF. The feedback provided by the DRP is a material consideration that weighs significantly in favour of the proposal.”


The report further acknowledged the careful and detailed design approach:


“Careful consideration has gone into the proposed design, influenced by the surrounding landscape and the site’s historical use. The exceptional design reflects the highest standards of architecture, raising the bar for design in rural areas.”


Additionally, the officer also noted the following: -


“The design and proposed ecological enhancements will significantly enhance the immediate setting and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area, aligning fully with the requirements of Paragraph 84e of the NPPF.”


This acknowledgment underscores the value that independent, multidisciplinary feedback brings to both applicants and local planning authorities. The Design Review Panel's impartiality ensures that design quality, rather than local politics or subjective biases, drives decision-making.


A Triumph for All Stakeholders


The approval of Durrants Yard represents a win for all involved. For the applicant and design team, the DRP provided expert guidance that elevated the design to meet the highest architectural standards. For Buckinghamshire Council, The Design Review Panel's (www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) input enabled the authority to confidently support an exceptional project, aligning with the goals of the NPPF.

Durrants Yard Para 84e House Approved in Buckinghamshire - Woodland Ride View
A picturesque view of the newly approved Durrants Yard Para 84e House in Buckinghamshire, nestled amidst a serene woodland setting.

Join the Conversation


We’d love to hear your thoughts on this inspiring case study. Share your views, discuss the project, or let us know how design review could benefit your next proposal. Engage with us on LinkedIn or reach out through our website.


Why Choose The Design Review Panel ?


This case study exemplifies the benefits of engaging The Design Review Panel as follows:-


  • Independent Expertise: Our multidisciplinary & expert Panel offers unbiased insights across architecture, landscape design, ecology, conservation and more – for the benefit of both applicants and local planning authorities.


  • Material Consideration: Our feedback carries significant weight in planning decisions (in accordance with para 138 of the NPPF), as demonstrated by this project.


  • Elevated Design Standards: We help design teams achieve excellence, ensuring projects not only comply with but exceed policy requirements.

The Design Review Panel (www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) logo
TheDesign Review Panel - www.designreviewpanel.co.uk

If you’re an architect, developer, town planner, or local authority seeking to refine a project and navigate the planning process with confidence, book a session with The Design Review Panel today. Let us help you transform your vision into reality.

Visit www.designreviewpanel.co.uk to learn more and schedule your session.


 

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