News From Creating Excellence: Design Review Encouraged During Recession

The design review process can help to add value, reduce cost, save time and seeks to ensure that projects are robust and sustainable propositions, thereby creating buildings and spaces that will increase in value rather than become ‘toxic' assets in the future.

Including some of the region's leading design and property experts, the South West Design Review Panel promotes good design in the built environment and offers expert, independent assessments of significant developments in the region. 

From local planning authorities and property agents, to developers and their design teams, schemes can be submitted from across the sector.  The Panel offers critical guidance on cases it reviews and works with developers in discussing options, constructively challenging the project rationale, identifying opportunities and sometimes calling for a rethink.

The Panel has reviewed cases funded by a variety of private and public organisations including the South West of England Regional Development Agency and the Homes and Communities Agency and it works in close collaboration with English Heritage and CABE. 

Examples of recent projects reviewed include:
o The extension of the Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum
o The rebuilding of the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare following the devastating fire last summer
o The redevelopment of the Boiler Works Road site in Camborne, Cornwall, as a housing-led mixed use development
o Mixed-use scheme in Bridgwater including 2000 dwellings and a regional distribution centre for Morrisons
o Redevelopment of a former industrial site close to Frome town centre for residential, commercial and employment uses
 
The 30-strong Panel brings together a wealth of expertise in architecture, planning and urban design.  It is Chaired by Peter Clegg, co-founder of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios of Bath and London - 2008 winners of the Stirling Prize for Architecture.

Talking about the valuable service the Panel brings to the industry, Peter Clegg said:  "The South West Design Review Panel is a fantastic resource for all involved in property development in the region.  Increasingly recognised as an independent and authoritative voice in promoting and scrutinising design quality, we are one of six panels that operate across the country which are recognised and supported by CABE.
 
"In recent years design has risen up the planning agenda significantly. National planning policy now states very clearly that good design must be at the heart of the planning process and that local planning authorities should not grant permission to schemes that are below standard.  So, whichever side of the planning process you're on, design review is an invaluable tool and now is the time to take full advantage of it," he continued.

Timothy Cantell, Manager of the South West Design Review Panel at Creating Excellence, said:  "Good design is always invaluable, but during a recession it is indispensable.  Coming to the Panel and undertaking design review during the early stages of a development can save hassle and money later on.  We can even help speed up the process by spotting pitfalls and pointing out opportunities well ahead of planning applications and this can mean avoiding amendments or even appeals at planning stage."

The South West Design Review Panel welcomes suggestions of schemes to be reviewed.  Those who'd like to put a case to the Panel to be considered for review should make contact as follows:
- email drp@creatingexcellence.org.uk
- or call Timothy Cantell at Creating Excellence on 01823 250 801

For more information and to view case studies of recent cases, visit www.creatingexcellence.org.uk and click on ‘design'.