During 2019 the Design Network organised a series of roundtable conversations between the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and councillors and planning officers across the country. MHCLG representatives attended to listen and learn about the day to day barriers local authorities were finding when looking to deliver well designed, high quality homes.

Opun and MADE (now Design:Midlands) led on this programme in the Midlands – and held the roundtable discussion with representatives from a range of local authorities and their Elected Members. The feedback included issues such as:
• the 5 year housing land supply was skewing priorities away from design quality in meeting numerical targets
• permitted development rights regime creates poor quality homes and places
• viability was used as a measure to reduce post-permission quality standards
• a disconnect between highways design practice and planning design standards

The report offers recommendations and some potential solutions which are now reflected in the National Design Guide – in particular, the Gov.uk guide called Design: process and tools which provides clear advice to local authorities and their Elected Members on the tools, actions and techniques that can support better design and place making.

To discuss this report further and for advice on any of the new national guidelines contact Design:Midlands at admin@designmidlands.org