Planning

Good planning can deliver good design in the right place and at the right time. Poor planning can leave a terrible legacy of failed buildings and spaces.

CABE supports the process of delivering good quality design through the planning system.  We use the planning system to embed a design ethos in policy, build confidence in local authorities and explore how design fares at appeal.

Planning authorities should

• include a clear strategy and vision in their local development framework
• expect good quality schemes
• use pre-application discussions, design and access statements and ensure the planning application contains sufficient detail
• secure quality through planning conditions and legal agreements
• access design skills in-house, through consultants or via design review
• review design quality in an annual monitoring report using Building for Life.

Planning at CABE

Our work in planning

We aim to support good quality design through the planning system at national, regional and local levels.

Local development frameworks

Spatial planning that helps local authorities facilitate high-quality, well-designed places and spaces.

Core strategies

All local authorities must produce a core strategy as part of their local development framework.

Regional spatial strategies

Regional spatial plans that set regional priorities, deciding what development there should be, and where and how it will be delivered.

National planning policy

Government planning guidance endorses design quality, and makes clear it is an essential part of creating sustainable places.

Design at appeal

Look at examples of where  the government’s policies for high-quality design are supported at appeal.

Design and access statements

A vital tool in helping local planning authorities decide if a development is high quality, and makes a positive contribution to an area.

Planning Advisory Committee

Advises CABE on planning issues and the development of our planning programme.

Planning on the web

Planning Advisory Service

Facilitating improvement in the council planning sector.

Planning Portal

The complete online planning and building resource.

The Planning Inspectorate

Processing planning appeals and local development plans.

Planning Aid

Engaging communities in planning.