The Design Network has unveiled a new charter to raise the bar for designing homes, streets and places across England.
The national body, which is made up of six regional organisations, has developed the National Design Review Charter to set out a shared approach to its work with developers, site promoters and local councils.
The standard sets the benchmark for design reviews and brings together a national network of more than 530 practitioners working in architecture, housing, masterplanning, inclusive design, health, landscape, climate, transport, heritage, regeneration and urban policy to offer independent, expert advice on proposed developments at key stages of the planning process.
Anna Rutherford, CEO of Design West and chair of The Design Network, said: “This charter is about building trust, expertise and partnership to deliver well designed places that everyone wants to see. Good design can accelerate delivery, and this charter will help to expand the vital role this plays in shaping vibrant, connected, sustainable, healthy places.”
She added: “We want to support every council in England with high-quality design advice that reflects local identity and national policy. The Design Network is uniquely placed to do this: we’re local, we’re independent, and we’re experts in fields and disciplines that together play a key role in shaping vibrant places.”
Iain Taylor, director at Design North West, said: “In coming together to create this shared approach, we’ve been struck by the range of positive results delivered through design reviews. This work harnesses the skills and knowledge of our sector’s brightest professionals, to deliver public benefit to places across the country.”
