We have developed course content and delivered training events to town planners and elected members from local authorities.

Throughout 2018 and 2019 our planning training has focused on using the “Councillor’s Companion for design in Planning” and “The Design Companion for Planning and Placemaking”, to provide a high quality design training programme delivered across the East Midlands, in conjunction with The Ministry of Housing and Local Communities (MHCLG) and partner Local Authorities including: Rutland, South Kesteven, Erewash and Northampton.

Previous training events have explored both policies and processes aimed at promoting excellence in design quality and place making. In February 2019 in conjunction with East Midlands Councils, the Design Network and the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) we developed and delivered an event focused on best practice in embedding good design in planning policy and decision making.  Afternoon workshops examined: approaches to ensuring that design is addressed throughout the planning process; the use of design tools and techniques; and the knowledge and skills needed to negotiate over elements of design.

Recently we have also designed and run a series of masterclasses to provide a greater understanding of urban design principles through: the “Manual for Streets” and “Manual for Streets 2” application; SuDs and the importance, benefits and practicalities in achieving robust schemes; exploring how to ‘unpick’ the tricky topic of ‘character’; and identifying how ‘Quality’ green infrastructure can make tangible differences.