Place making

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To ensure that the most sustainable sites are used for development and that the design process, layout structure and form provide a development that is appropriate to the local context and supports a sustainable community.

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis.

Read the background on Place making

Ref: 184

Question 3.1

Objective

To ensure the most effective and efficient use of land, applying a sequential approach.

Importance:

Question

How can the site be best characterised? (N.B. For biodiversity issues see the Ecology section)

Contaminated land – remediated or awaiting remediation
Brownfield – derelict urban land
Undeveloped – Includes residential gardens.
Other: including brownfield – rural land, designated open space, designated sports pitches or recreation land, green belt, high quality agricultural land, land designated as of ecological importance, land with workable or potentially workable minerals

Targets and Justification

Best: B or A
Good: C

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 184

Ref: 254

Question 3.2

Objective

To ensure the most effective and efficient use of land, applying a sequential approach.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis.

How can the site be best characterised?

Contaminated land – remediated or awaiting remediation
Brownfield – derelict urban land
Undeveloped – Includes residential gardens.
Other: including brownfield – rural land, designated open space, designated sports pitches or recreation land, green belt, high quality agricultural land, land designated as of ecological importance, land with workable or potentially workable minerals

N.B. For biodiversity issues see the Ecology section

Targets and Justification

Best: B or A
Good: C

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development.

Ref: 254

Ref: 185

Question 3.3

Objective

To ensure the efficient and sensitive use of appropriate land.

Importance:

Question

Percentage of site footprint to be enhanced as open space.

Targets and Justification

Best: 50%
Good: 25%

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 185

Ref: 255

Question 3.4

Objective

To ensure the efficient and sensitive use of appropriate land.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL questions 12, 13 and 20.

Percentage of site footprint to be enhanced as open space.

Targets and Justification

Best: 50%
Good: 25%

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments; medium and large mixed developments; medium and large office/retail developments; medium and large industrial developments; and clearance/remediation works.

Ref: 255

Ref: 256

Question 3.5

Objective

To ensure effective re-use of appropriate or suitable buildings to restore and strengthen the area's character (rural or urban).

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL questions 1, 2 and 5 and 17.

What percentage of the existing buildings on site will be re-used/ refurbished?

N.B. Building refurbishment should be favoured over new build where possible

Targets and Justification

Best: 100%
Good: > 50%
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development.

Ref: 256

Ref: 186

Question 3.6

Objective

To ensure effective re-use of appropriate or suitable buildings to restore and strengthen the area's character (rural or urban).

Importance:

Question

What percentage of the existing buildings on site will be re-used/ refurbished? (N.B. Building refurbishment should be favoured over new build where possible)

Targets and Justification

Best: 100%
Good: > 50%
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 186

Ref: 257

Question 3.7

Objective

To ensure that the preparation of a Design and Access statement, that is informed by studies of the site and its surroundings, is discussed with the appropriate parties prior to finalisation.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis.

Will a design statement, incorporating the findings of context appraisals and explaining emerging design principles be discussed with the Local Authority prior to the application? Is the development site’s rural character fully addressed?

Targets and Justification

Best: Yes and involving Design Champions and referencing Urban Design Compendium (English Partnerships)
Good: Yes - building on context appraisals that include the existing landscape (rural or urban) and ecological asset studies, surrounding and prospective community and demographic appraisal. The design statement should incorporate a rural settlement character
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments; all mixed developments; all office/retail developments; medium and large industrial developments; and clearance/remediation works.

Ref: 257

Ref: 187

Question 3.8

Objective

To ensure that the preparation of a statement of design intent, that is informed by studies of the site and its surroundings, is discussed with the appropriate parties prior to finalisation.

Importance:

Question

Will a design statement, incorporating the findings of context appraisals and explaining emerging design principles be discussed with the Local Authority prior to the application?

Targets and Justification

Best: Yes and involving Design Champions and referencing Urban Design Compendium (English Partnerships)
Good: Yes - building on context appraisals that include the existing landscape (rural or urban) and ecological asset studies, surrounding and prospective community and demographic appraisal. The design statement should incorporate a rural settlement character
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 187

Ref: 258

Question 3.9

Objective

To ensure that the landscaping scheme is attractive and appropriate to the local environment.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL questions 1, 2, 5, 10, 12, 13 and 20.

Will a landscaping scheme be drawn up for the site – to include POS, street scenes, public/private space boundaries and site boundaries, with landscape, ecological and historical assets preserved?

Targets and Justification

Best: Drawn up with landscape architect AND ecologist
Good: Drawn up with landscape architect
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development.

Ref: 258

Ref: 188

Question 3.10

Objective

To ensure that the landscaping scheme is attractive and appropriate to the local environment.

Importance:

Question

Will a landscaping scheme be drawn up for the site – to include POS, street scenes, public/private space boundaries and site boundaries, with landscape, ecological and historical assets preserved?

Targets and Justification

Best: Drawn up with landscape architect AND ecologist
Good: Drawn up with landscape architect
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 188

Ref: 259

Question 3.11

Objective

To ensure that the character of the landscape and townscape is respected and, whenever and wherever possible, enhanced through appropriate location and design.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL questions 1-5.

Will the design statement, incorporating information relating to the landscape and townscape character of the surrounding area, be discussed with the Local Authority prior to the application?

Targets and Justification

Best: Not yet defined
Good: Input from Landscape Character Specialist
Minimum: See relevant LA standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development.

Ref: 259

Ref: 189

Question 3.12

Objective

To ensure that the character of the landscape and townscape is respected and, whenever and wherever possible, enhanced through appropriate location and design.

Importance:

Question

Will the design statement, incorporating information relating to the landscape and townscape character of the surrounding area, be discussed with the Local Authority prior to the application?

Targets and Justification

Best: Not yet defined
Good: Input from Landscape Character Specialist
Minimum: See relevant LA standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 189

Ref: 260

Question 3.13

Objective

To achieve visual and physical connectivity that makes it easy to find the development and to navigate around.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL questions 4,7 and 9.

Are there physical and visual links between the development and the surrounding area, and how do they integrate the development with the surrounding area?

Are new routes into the site continuations of existing access points from the surrounding area?
How direct are sight lines of existing neighbourhood streets continued through the site?
Are main routes within the site connected directly to main routes in the wider area without feeding through existing routes with less capacity or with a primarily residential function?

Targets and Justification

Best: Yet to be established
Good: A design strategy addressing all three issues
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments; all mixed developments; all office/retail developments; medium and large industrial developments; and clearance/remediation works.

Ref: 260

Ref: 190

Question 3.14

Objective

To achieve visual and physical connectivity that makes it easy to find the development and to navigate around.

Importance:

Question

Are there physical and visual links between the development and the surrounding area, and how do they integrate the development with the surrounding area?

Are new routes into the site continuations of existing access points from the surrounding area?
How direct are sight lines of existing neighbourhood streets continued through the site?
Are main routes within the site connected directly to main routes in the wider area without feeding through existing routes with less capacity or with a primarily residential function?

Targets and Justification

Best: Yet to be established
Good: A design strategy addressing all three issues
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 190

Ref: 261

Question 3.15

Objective

To make cycle movement in addition to pedestrian movement attractive and safe, reducing reliance upon private cars for local journeys.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL questions 6-10.

Will the proposed street network provide a high quality public realm with a pedestrian friendly environment?

Has a choice of good pedestrian routes connecting to services and places people want to use been provided?
Are pedestrian routes direct with safe crossings at points where pedestrians want to cross?
Has a design strategy been produced to ensure that pedestrian routes are attractive, well-lit and safe?
Will street design calm traffic where appropriate?

Targets and Justification

Best: Yet to be established
Good: A design strategy that addresses all the listed issues
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

Ref: 261

Ref: 191

Question 3.16

Objective

To make cycle movement in addition to pedestrian movement attractive and safe, reducing reliance upon private cars for local journeys.

Importance:

Question

Will the proposed street network provide a high quality public realm with a pedestrian friendly environment?

Has a choice of good pedestrian routes connecting to services and places people want to use been provided?
Are pedestrian routes direct with safe crossings at points where pedestrians want to cross?
Has a design strategy been produced to ensure that pedestrian routes are attractive, well-lit and safe?
Will street design calm traffic where appropriate?

Targets and Justification

Best: Yet to be established
Good: A design strategy that addresses all the listed issues
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 191

Ref: 262

Question 3.17

Objective

To create a place with a clear identity that is easy to understand and navigate.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL questions 3, 4 and 12.

Will the development be designed to be easy for users to understand and orientate themselves in, and does it promote a neighbourhood identity?

Will entrances to the development and its different areas been designed as gateways?
Will landmarks, including memorable buildings, be used to help users orientate themselves?
Will clear views and deflected views of landmarks been created?
Will corner buildings be heightened or building line altered through set backs to act as landmarks?
Will nodes be emphasised through surface treatment?

Targets and Justification

Best: Yet to be established
Good: A design strategy that addresses all the above issues
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments; all mixed developments; all office/retail developments; and medium and large industrial developments.

Ref: 262

Ref: 192

Question 3.18

Objective

To create a place with a clear identity that is easy to understand and navigate.

Importance:

Question

Will the development be designed to be easy for users to understand and orientate themselves in, and does it promote a neighbourhood identity?

Will entrances to the development and its different areas been designed as gateways?
Will landmarks, including memorable buildings, be used to help users orientate themselves?
Will clear views and deflected views of landmarks been created?
Will corner buildings be heightened or building line altered through set backs to act as landmarks?
Will nodes be emphasised through surface treatment?

Targets and Justification

Best: Yet to be established
Good: A design strategy that addresses all the above issues
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 192

Ref: 263

Question 3.19

Objective

To ensure that building frontages encourage pedestrian usage of streets contributing to vitality.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL questions 14 and 15.

Will the ‘Active Frontage Guidelines’ of the English Partnerships Urban Design Compendium be met in order to promote vitality? Note active frontages means encouraging pedestrian entrances and exits onto streets, which are frequently used.

N.B Although ‘English Partnerships’ is now the Homes and Communities Agency. The Urban Design Compendium still remains valid for consideration

Targets and Justification

Best: 100% achieves at least Grade C frontage, 50% Grade A
Good: 100% achieves at least Grade C frontage, 25% Grade A
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development (except clearance/remediation works).

Ref: 263

Ref: 193

Question 3.20

Objective

To ensure that building frontages encourage pedestrian usage of streets contributing to vitality.

Importance:

Question

Targets and Justification

Best: 100% achieves at least Grade C frontage, 50% Grade A
Good: 100% achieves at least Grade C frontage, 25% Grade A
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 193

Ref: 264

Question 3.21

Objective

To create defensible spaces that clearly define public and private spaces.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL question 10.

Will the development make a clear distinction between public fronts and private backs, allowing for secure gardens or parking, or delivery access at the rear and an overlooked, safe public realm?

Targets and Justification

Best: 100% frontages onto street, 0% exposed backs
Good: 100% building frontages face onto street
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development (except clearance/remediation works).

Ref: 264

Ref: 194

Question 3.22

Objective

To create defensible spaces that clearly define public and private spaces.

Importance:

Question

Will the development make a clear distinction between public fronts and private backs, allowing for secure gardens or parking, or delivery access at the rear and an overlooked, safe public realm?

Targets and Justification

Best: 100% frontages onto street, 0% exposed backs
Good: 100% building frontages face onto street
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 194

Ref: 265

Question 3.23

Objective

To ensure that the development responds to local character whilst reinforcing its own identity.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL questions 1-5 and 11-15.

Will the appearance of the development be visually appropriate, taking into consideration the local character, and will it complement the character of the location (e.g. urban or rural) whilst creating a strong identity for the new neighbourhood?

Building materials and colour complementing local character
Building style and form enhancing local character
Roofscapes visually respecting the developments location within a local context
Continuity of local building details such as windows and doors
Residential component of the development fostering a potential for personalisation by prospective residents
Contemporary approach to reflecting the local vernacular

Targets and Justification

Best: Yes to 1 - 6
Good: Yes to 1 - 5
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development (except clearance/remediation works).

Ref: 265

Ref: 195

Question 3.24

Objective

To ensure that the development responds to local character whilst reinforcing its own identity.

Importance:

Question

Building materials and colour complementing local character
Building style and form enhancing local character
Roofscapes visually respecting the developments location within a local context
Continuity of local building details such as windows and doors
Residential component of the development fostering a potential for personalisation by prospective residents
Contemporary approach to reflecting the local vernacular

Targets and Justification

Best: Yes to 1 - 6
Good: Yes to 1 - 5
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 195

Ref: 266

Question 3.25

Objective

To ensure access to high quality public green space for all.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL question 20.

How far will the local community have to travel to reach high quality public green space?

Targets and Justification

Best: Minimum and Good practice plus ANGsT standard met
Good: 100% of dwellings are within 500m of designated public green space where children can play
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments; all mixed developments; all office/retail developments; medium and large industrial developments; and clearance/remediation works.

Ref: 266

Ref: 196

Question 3.26

Objective

To ensure access to high quality public green space for all.

Importance:

Question

How far will the local community have to travel to reach high quality public green space?

Targets and Justification

Best: Minimum and Good practice plus ANGsT standard met
Good: 100% of dwellings are within 500m of designated public green space where children can play
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 196

Ref: 267

Question 3.27

Objective

To promote outdoor recreation, health and community interaction.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question bears relevance with BfL question 17.

Will there be provision of accessible play space for the new development and will the development promote opportunities for sport and physical activity through good design?

Targets and Justification

Best: Exceeds the good practice guide's requirements
Good: Meets good practice guide "Developing accessible play space: a good practice guide" DCLG
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments; all mixed developments; all office/retail developments; medium and large industrial developments; and clearance/remediation works.

Ref: 267

Ref: 197

Question 3.28

Objective

To promote outdoor recreation, health and community interaction.

Importance:

Question

Will there be provision of accessible play space for the new development and will the development promote opportunities for sport and physical activity through good design?

Targets and Justification

Best: Exceeds the good practice guide's requirements
Good: Meets good practice guide "Developing accessible play space: a good practice guide" DCLG
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 197

Ref: 268

Question 3.29

Objective

To ensure that new commercial or light industrial buildings can be adapted to the demands of new uses.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL question 15.

Will flexibility be designed into commercial or light industrial units to provide adaptability to changing market needs?

Optimum adaptability to future use changes in terms of building depth (9-13m)
Optimum adaptability to future uses in terms of building width (5-7m frontages) or multiples of
Floor to floor heights to allow for vertical segregation of mixed uses and provide adaptability for future changes of use

Targets and Justification

Best: As for good practice but for all commercial units
Good: A design strategy which addresses points 1 - 3 for some commercial units
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all mixed developments; all office/retail developments; and all industrial developments.

Ref: 268

Ref: 198

Question 3.30

Objective

To ensure that new commercial or light industrial buildings can be adapted to the demands of new uses.

Importance:

Question

Will flexibility be designed into commercial or light industrial units to provide adaptability to changing market needs?

Optimum adaptability to future use changes in terms of building depth (9-13m)
Optimum adaptability to future uses in terms of building width (5-7m frontages) or multiples of
Floor to floor heights to allow for vertical segregation of mixed uses and provide adaptability for future changes of use

Targets and Justification

Best: As for good practice but for all commercial units
Good: A design strategy which addresses points 1 - 3 for some commercial units
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 198

Ref: 269

Question 3.31

Objective

To prevent social inequalities and foster a socially inclusive community.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL questions 18 and 19.

Will the affordable housing be indistinguishable from the rest of the development in terms of aesthetics and distribution?

Targets and Justification

Best: Not yet defined
Good: Yes
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments; and all mixed developments.

Ref: 269

Ref: 199

Question 3.32

Objective

To prevent social inequalities and foster a socially inclusive community.

Importance:

Question

Will the affordable housing be indistinguishable from the rest of the development in terms of aesthetics and distribution?

Targets and Justification

Best: Not yet defined
Good: Yes
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 199

Ref: 270

Question 3.33

Objective

To attract a diverse new community that reflects the surrounding demographic needs.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis. This question equates with BfL question 18.

Will a statement be prepared explaining how the development contributes to the required mix of housing for the area, in terms of type, size, tenure and reflecting the needs of the current and prospective community demographics?

Targets and Justification

Best: Not yet defined
Good: Yes
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments; and medium and large mixed developments.

Ref: 270

Ref: 200

Question 3.34

Objective

To attract a diverse new community that reflects the surrounding demographic needs.

Importance:

Question

Targets and Justification

Best: Not yet defined
Good: Yes
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 200

Ref: 271

Question 3.35

Objective

To apply design principles to increase the security of the development.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis.

Will development be designed to ‘Secure By Design’ or equivalent standards?

Targets and Justification

Best: Good practice PLUS use of Community Development Trust knowledge database (or equivalent) to monitor and set targets for crime reduction
Good: Secure By Design plus involvement of a Police Architectural Liaison Officer (ALO) or Crime Reduction Design Officer (CRDO)
Minimum: Evidence of Secure By Design strategy

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development (except clearance/remediation works).

Ref: 271

Ref: 201

Question 3.36

Objective

To apply design principles to increase the security of the development.

Importance:

Question

Will development be designed to ‘Secure By Design’ or equivalent standards?

Targets and Justification

Best: Good practice PLUS use of Community Development Trust knowledge database (or equivalent) to monitor and set targets for crime reduction
Good: Secure By Design plus involvement of a Police Architectural Liaison Officer (ALO) or Crime Reduction Design Officer (CRDO)
Minimum: Evidence of Secure By Design strategy

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 201

Ref: 272

Question 3.37

Objective

To ensure that street lighting is as energy efficient as possible and to minimise light spillage.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis.

How much of the street lighting will be energy efficient with limited upward light transmission?

Targets and Justification

Best: As good practice plus renewable energy generation
Good: 100% low powered street lighting with limited upward light transmission
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments; medium and large mixed developments; medium and large office/retail developments; and medium and large industrial developments.

Ref: 272

Ref: 202

Question 3.38

Objective

To ensure that street lighting is as energy efficient as possible and to minimise light spillage.

Importance:

Question

How much of the street lighting will be energy efficient with limited upward light transmission?

Targets and Justification

Best: As good practice plus renewable energy generation
Good: 100% low powered street lighting with limited upward light transmission
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to medium and large residential developments.

Ref: 202

Ref: 273

Question 3.39

Objective

To ensure that the security lighting is a carefully designed element, installed with due consideration of its suitability for the task and its effect on neighbours and the environment.

Importance:

Question

This section of the checklist equates with the Building for Life Standard but not on a question by question basis.

Will the security lighting strategy be designed to minimise light pollution and disruption to neighbours?

Targets and Justification

Best: Good practice plus: Domestic external security lighting designed into dwellings and provided by developer
Good: Appropriate lighting type, position, footprint, timings and duration planned into security lighting systems
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all types of development.

Ref: 273

Ref: 203

Question 3.40

Objective

To ensure that the security lighting is a carefully designed element, installed with due consideration of its suitability for the task and its effect on neighbours and the environment.

Importance:

Question

Will the security lighting strategy be designed to minimise light pollution and disruption to neighbours?

Targets and Justification

Best: Good practice plus: Domestic external security lighting designed into dwellings and provided by developer
Good: Appropriate lighting type, position, footprint, timings and duration planned into security lighting systems
Minimum: See relevant local planning authority standard for minimum required

Applies to Developments

This question applies to all residential developments.

Ref: 203

Policy Links

RSS

CF3: Levels and distribution of housing development;
CF4: The reuse of land and buildings for housing;
CF5: Delivering affordable housing and mixed communities;
CF6: Managing housing land provision;
EN2: Energy Conservation;
PA2: Urban Regeneration Zones;
PA5: Employment Areas in Need of Modernisation & Renewal;
QE1: Conserving and enhancing the environment;
QE2: Restoring degraded areas and managing and creating high employment;
QE3: Creating a high quality built environment for all;
QE4: Spaces;
QE5: Protection and enhancement of the Historic Environment;
QE6: The conservation, enhancement and restoration of the Region’s landscape;
QE7: Protecting, managing and enhancing the Region’s biodiversity;
T1: Developing accessibility and mobility within the Region to support the RSS;
T2: Reducing the need to travel; T3: Walking and Cycling;
T3: Walking and Cycling;
T5: Public Transport;
T7: Car Parking Standards & Management;
T9: The Management & Devlopment of National & Regional Transport Networks;
UR1: Implementing Urban Renaissance;
UR4: Social Infrastructure;
PA12: Birmingham’s Role as a World City;
PPG 3.

RHS

Chapter 4;
Chapter 7.

Development sizes

The checklist comes in different versions for different sizes and types of development:

Small: Residential up to 9 units
Mixed use up to 9 res. units
Non-residential up to 999 m²
Medium: Residential 10 - 199 units
Mixed use 10 - 199 res. units
Non-residential 1,000 - 20,000 m²
Large: Residential 200 - 5,999 units
Mixed use 200 - 5,999 res. units
Non-residential over 20,000 m²

If the development is for more than 6,000 houses, a bespoke checklist will be produced by the developer/planning applicant and the Local Planning Authority.

The set of questions for smaller developments is contained within the set of questions for larger developments.

There is an additional set of questions for site clearance/remediation.

This checklist is no longer supported

The Government announced that as part of its new policy on economic development all Regional Development Agencies, including Advantage West Midlands, will close.

This checklist will remain online to allow existing users to reference their existing projects. New accounts and projects can no longer be created.