About the national panel

Our national design review panel offers expert advice on major new developments across England.

The national panel's remit, set out by government, is to review the design quality of schemes in England considered to be significant because of their size, use, site, impact on local planning policy, or potential to set a precedent. Our reviews include tall buildings in city centres, masterplans and proposals for public buildings such as arts venues.

The national panel was established in 1999 and has conducted around 3,000 reviews. The panel is chaired by CABE commissioners MJ Long, Piers Gough, Hanif Kara, and Deyan Sudjic. The panel is made up of leading members of England's architectural, built environment and creative communities.

Our publication Design review explains how we evaluate schemes.

Presentation panel reviews

Schemes are presented to our panel by those involved - this can include architects, local authorities, clients or other organisations. Up to six panel members attend each presentation panel review meeting.

Prior to the presentation, CABE's case officer for the scheme will have visited the site and met the design team (and others involved).

Presentation materials include architectural models, plans, elevations, computer-generated images, and other contextual information.

After the presentation, panel members discuss the scheme with those involved. The chair then summarises the panel members' views.

We normally review six to eight schemes at every meeting. The presentation panel review meetings in 2010 take place on the following dates: 6 and 20 January; 3 and 24 February; 3 and 17 March; 7 and 21 April; 5, 12 and 26 May; 9 and 23 June; 7 and 28 July; 11 and 25 August; 8 and 22 September; 13 and 27 October; 10 and 24 November; and 8 December.

Watch the video guide to design review to see how these meetings work.

Internal reviews

Schemes are reviewed by a chair of the national design review panel, a member of the panel, and design review staff.

Reviewed materials can include architectural models, plans, elevations, computer-generated images and other contextual information.

We review up to 24 schemes every month in this way.

What happens next?

After a review, a letter containing our views is sent to the designers, the local planning authority and may also be copied to other relevant parties. CABE's advice on a scheme is informed by both the panel and by CABE staff. If a scheme is the subject of a planning application, our review letter will be published on our website. All other reviews are confidential.