Planning in London

CABE: The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment

CABE has established itself as the peoples' Fine Art Commission. With the launch last month of its new web site (http://www.cabe.org.uk/) we bring an edited version in this PiL profile.

Paul Finch, Chairman of CABE's Design Review Committee: CABE carries out design reviews for proposals which will have a significant impact on their environment. Our ideal world? One where we could expect every proposal to be of a design everyone can be proud of.
The design review committee offers free advice to planning authorities and others on the design of selected development projects in England.

It is particularly interested in strategic projects in their early stages - 'srategic' encompassing not only projects of national importance but also those which have a significant impact on a local environment or set standards for future development. Each year CABE comments formally on around 70 such projects, ranging from proposals for tall buildings in central London to plans for major retail developments in regional towns.

A number of other schemes are delegated for comment at officer level. We also carry out thematic design audits of particular types of development. CABE Contact: Peter Stewart Types of scheme In view of the limited number of proposals on which it can advise, CABE wishes to be consulted about projects which are significant in some way. This is difficult to define precisely because significance is not necessarily related to the size of the project, its location or type, but guidance is set out below. This will be kept under review in the light of experience.

The Government wishes CABE to pay increased attention to proposals whose significance is mainly regional or local. This is a wide remit and is concerned not just with metropolitan centres and historic areas but, for example, with deprived areas, suburbs, small towns and villages. Design review can be used to help raise the quality of peopleÕs everyday lives and promote social inclusion. Such proposals may include housing schemes, mixed use developments and changes to public realm.

An important part of CABE's remit is to scrutinise the quality of buildings in the public sector, in particular those procured through the Private Finance Initiative, and of projects involving public money. For this reason, the Government is particularly interested to see CABE consulted about such projects. To assist authorities in deciding whether to consult us, the Government has agreed with CABE the following guidance on significant projects. Proposals which are significant because of their size or the uses they contain includes: large buildings or groups of buildings such as courts, large religious buildings, museums or art galleries, hospitals, shopping and leisure complexes, and office or commercial buildings;

- infrastructure projects such as stations, airports and other transport interchanges, bridges, power stations and waste incinerators; and

- major changes in the public realm such as pedestrianisation schemes or proposals to enhance public squares and civic open spaces. Proposals which are significant because of their site: In this category are proposals which affect important views into or from a World Heritage Site, for example or sited in such a way that give rise to exceptional effects on their locality.

A relatively modest proposal can be of strategic importance to a town or city if it is situated at an important street junction, in a square, on a river bank or on the approach to the urban area. Proposals with an importance greater than their size, use or site would suggest include:

- proposals which are likely to establish the planning, form or architectural quality for future large scale development or re-development; proposals which are out of the ordinary in their context or setting because of their scale, form or materials;

- proposals which are particularly relevant to the quality of everyday life and contain design features which, if repeated, would offer substantial benefits for society. As well as offering formal advice on planning applications, CABE is prepared to become involved in some schemes more closely, offering advice at all stages including the preparation of the brief and during the design process itself.

CABE wants to contribute to the quality of urban areas in the widest sense and is prepared not only to advise on landmark buildings but, for example, housing developments, retail facilities or townscapes. If CABE does not wish to become involved in a project on which it has been consulted it will say so in writing. In such cases, there is no need for CABE to be consulted formally again as part of the planning process. In all other cases it should be notified when a planning application is submitted. However, whatever CABE's previous position on relevant applications, authorities should consider notifying CABE if those applications are called in by or the subject of an appeal to the Secretary of State, in case CABE wants to draw attention to particular issues that might be considered during the inquiry.

Timing: CABE recognizes that by the time a proposed development reaches the application stage, the scope for influencing its design may be severely limited. It should therefore be consulted wherever possible at an early-pre-application stage about schemes which meet the above criteria. Local authorities are asked to contact CABE about such schemes or to arrange for the developer to do so as soon as they become aware of them. CABE should also be consulted, on relevant projects, as part of the formal consultation process; but as it is likely to take an interest in the strategic aspects of a project, its advice will usually be of greatest benefit at an earlier stage.

Project enabling panel Sunand Prasad, panel chairman: CABE has helped to crystallise a wide consensus about why design matters and what ambitions we as a society could have for the built environment. Through project enabling we are helping to show how these ambitions can be realised. CABE's project enabling panel offers advice to clients who aspire to quality but would welcome technical assistance on matters such as brief development, selection of architects or choice of procurement route. The panel aims particularly to enable schemes where good design can help counter social exclusion, for example by enhancing service delivery or providing uplifting architecture in a deprived area. In cases where public programmes involve substantial capital outlay, the panel may assist with exemplar schemes or draw up generic design guidance.

The panel's work is diverse and has included involvement in the design and development of early years learning facilities, health facilities, local authority-led regeneration projects and some private sector-led developments. CABE Contact: Joanna Averley

Policy Work with DfEE: CABE has assisted DfEE in developing policies and programmes to promote design quality and innovation in schools. We have been involved in the Classroom of the Future, Spaces for Sports and Arts and Schools of the Future Initiatives. In the context of increased capital spending on the refurbishment and development of schools, CABE is interested in helping LEAs to achieve high-quality buildings which enhance educational performance. Strategic Work with the Sure Start Programme Sure Start is a national programme that is developing new services and facilities for pre-school children and parents in disadvantaged communities.

It aims to strengthen communities by improving health, readiness to learn and social and emotional development. Research Paul Morrell: 'CABE's research programme is focussed and results-oriented. We aim to work with partner organisations to build up evidence of what good design adds to the bottom line- and to make a compelling case for investment in design quality by public and private sector clients alike.

There is now a more settled conviction that good design pays. But how it pays, and how much, and how that is to be measured still needs more study. CABE is developing a research capability to underpin its policy work and provide evidence of the wider socio-economic benefits of good architecture and urban design.

One of CABE's core beliefs is that good design has an impact not just on the functional performance of buildings (productivity of staff, maintenance and energy costs etc) but also on wider social value. Over the next couple of years, CABE will be working with different organizations, including HM Treasury, to help demonstrate the value of investment in high quality design. CABE Contact: Robert Bargery