Good design has a significant impact on the quality of the Yorkshire’s towns and cities, growing their ability to attract investment and to achieve sustainable economic growth. The relationship between people, buildings and space is also affected by design; directly impacting on health and wellbeing, comfort and safety. Design Review is a tried and tested method of promoting good design, and has been found to be both a cost effective and efficient way to improve design quality.
The Yorkshire Design Review Service was set up in 2010 by Integreat Yorkshire which has since become Integreat Plus. It aims to raise the design quality of schemes in the region by assessing construction projects at an early stage in terms of their physical form within their spatial context, embracing long term environmental objectives, as well as social and economic issues.
The region already has an extensive network of local panels, although some areas (for example, North Yorkshire) have access to none at all. The Yorkshire Design Review Service works alongside the existing sub-regional and local panels to help cover the geographical gaps in current provision and strengthen existing capacity. It offers independent design advice on regionally significant development schemes and strategies.
Design Review can have the following benefits:
- For developers; it can help schemes through the planning process as the advice given may be taken into consideration by the local authority. Also, by coming to review before submitting a planning application, the risk and costs associated with an unexpected decision regarding design may be avoided. A review could also be a useful tool to help developers assess and identify which costly design elements add little value or are essential to the overall quality of a scheme.
- For design teams; it brings a fresh and independent perspective to a scheme. The panel can be used as a sounding board to test ideas and develop concepts. They are also able to support good design intentions and pinpoint potential weaknesses. Whilst nothing is drawn in a review, the panel provides constructive and objective advice to fellow professionals.
- For local authorities; it provides an additional source of design expertise to further complement skills available in house. The panel’s recommendations can help support local authorities to demand more from applicants in terms of design quality and higher standards.
Design review panel meetings are also good forums in which to bring clients, design teams, local authorities and statutory bodies together to discuss design.
To ensure a consistent level of high standards, professionalism and independence, the service is affiliated with Design Council CABE. It is also supported by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
