Planners

Planners are responsible for shaping a place and its surroundings, by making decisions about how land is managed and developed.

We provide guidance and advice in our publications and through design review. We also work with government departments and public bodies to influence the planning system and raise design quality.

How we help planners

Planning

Discover how good design quality can be established via national planning policy, regional spatial strategies and local development frameworks.

Delivering good design through core strategies

Create a successful core strategy for your local development framework.

Design review

Understand our design review process, get advice on how to refer proposals, and read recent reviews.

Design and access statements

Learn what a design and access statement is, when it’s required, what it should contain and why it’s important.

Design at appeal

Browse local authority decisions that were supported by a planning inspector at appeal on design grounds – it happens!

Design at a glance

Download our quick reference guide to national planning policies and statements that recognise the importance of design quality.

By design

Read about the key elements of urban design, and how to raise design standards through planning.

Useful links for planners

Planning at CLG

Policy and guidance from Communities and Local Government.

Planning Advisory Service

Helps local authorities offer a more efficient planning service.

The Planning Inspectorate

Decides on planning appeals and local development frameworks.

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

Professional body for planning in the UK.