1. PLANNING FOR BETTER PLACES
Delivering national policy expectations for good design
MADE November 2013

2. INSPIRATION
• “We will leave this city not less but greater,
better and more beautiful than it was left to
us”
• Oath sworn by the Citizens of Athens

3. CONSOLATION
• “The blessed task of making the world a
better place need not wait to be done by
perfect men”
• George Elliot

4. NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK
Core planning principles
…
• Not simply be about scrutiny, but instead be a creative exercise in finding ways to
enhance and improve the places in which people live their lives…
• Always seek to secure high quality design and a good standard of amenity for all
existing and future occupants of land and buildings
• Take account of the different roles and character of different areas, promoting the
vitality of our main urban areas, protecting the Green Belts around them, recognising
the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside and supporting thriving rural
communities within it
• Support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate…
• Contribute to conserving and enhancing the natural environment…

5. • Promote mixed use developments, and encourage multiple benefits from the use of
land in urban and rural areas, recognizing that some open land can perform many
functions (such as wildlife, recreation, flood risk migration, carbon storage, or food
production)
• Conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they
can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of this and future
generations
• Actively manage patterns of growth to make the fullest possible use of public
transport, walking and cycling, and focus significant development in locations which
are or can be made sustainable
• Take account of and support local strategies to improve health, social and cultural
wellbeing for all…

6. NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK
Requiring good design
The government attaches great importance to the design of the built environment.
Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, is indivisible from good
planning, and good planning, and should contribute positively to making places better
for people

7. UNDERSTANDING YOUR PLACE
Paul Watson

8. NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK
Local and neighbourhood plans should develop robust and comprehensive policies
that set out the quality of development that will be expected for the area. Such
policies should be based on stated objectives for the future of the area and an
understanding and evaluation of its defining characteristics

9. LOCALISM ACT 2011: DUTY TO COOPERATE
Engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis…
…in maximising the effectiveness (of) development plan documents…
…so far as relating to a strategic matter
(a) sustainable development or use of land that has or would have a significant impact
on at least two planning areas, including (in particular) sustainable development or
use of land for or in connection with infrastructure

10. HOW DID YOUR PLACE COME ABOUT?
WHAT IS IT FOR?
• Minerals and other resources
• Water
• Defence
• Connections and communications
• Trading
What is it for now?

11. WHAT MIGHT, CAN AND SHOULD YOUR PLACE
BECOME?
• Awareness
• Insight
• Creativity
• Pragmatism
Strategic matters and vision