OPUN offers a bespoke range of Design Support Services, to help meet the needs of developers, design teams, local authorities and local communities.
Design Review Panels – OPUN runs a Design Council Cabe affiliated Design Review Panel. The Panel is made up by a peer group of experts taken from our Panel who are chosen to appraise the scheme with the developer and often the local authority present. OPUN ensures that there is not a conflict of interest, and adhers to the Cabe 10 principles for Design Review (see http://www.opun.org.uk/about-us/panel/) underwritten by RIBA, RTPi and the Landscape Institute.
To discuss submitting a scheme for Design Review please contact dharmista@opun.org.uk. Design Review is most appropiate at the pre-application stage, but can also take place at post submission stage. An Expression of Interest Form needs to be submitted to allow us to discuss what type of design support is needed for your scheme. A scheme promoter, developer, local authority or a community or neighbourhood group can request a Design Review, OPUN will liaise with you to discuss your needs, and will also suggest whether it is appropriate to raise the matter with the appropriate local planning authority involved.
Design Council Cabe has issued The Design Wayfinder that provides help for authorities, developers and communities following the publication of the NPPF. It identifies the main sources of guidance and best practice on good design, on robust local plan policies on design, and the type of analysis required to decide whether proposed development is acceptable.
OPUN appreciate the true value of good design which if brought in early at a scheme’s inception can bring considerable cost savings in the medium and longer term. The Value of Urban Design was a ground-breaking attempt to pin down the economic, social and environmental value of good urban design.
In 2006 CABE presented a series of essays entitled The cost of bad design to elaborate what goes wrong when places are not well designed.
OPUN DESIGN SUPPORT SERVICES FOR East Midlands Local Authorities 2012/13
The National Planning Policy Framework when published later this year is likely to encourage design review as part of the application process. OPUN in partnership with East Midlands Councils (EMC) is offering East Midlands councils a suite of design support services at an affordable level.
Independent design advice and support is a valuable resource for local authorities and their partner organisations. Anything from a design policy and growth strategy through to development proposals can be reviewed, and this process leads to improvements in outcomes as well as avoiding the need for expensive third-party arbitration. By embedding quality early in the process there is a better chance that the delivered outcomes will meet the aspirations of communities and provide a better built environment.
OPUN offer to EMC members will provide independent bespoke design advice throughout the year, access to two full design reviews, training, access to advice on art and the public realm and to community enabling capacity. Launched in February 2012, the service will run for 12 months and cost £3,500.
To discuss any aspects of this offer, please contact either Julie Tanner at OPUN on 07970 514480, or Andrew Pritchard at EMC on 01664 502641. OPUN is also considering how to roll this type of support out to local authorities in the East Midlands as well as other public sector facing organisations such as in the social housing sector. If you are interested in discussing this, please get in touch.
OPUN is has undertaken two Community-led Design Review Panels in March 2012. Supported through funding from Design Council Cabe, one took place on 6 March in Belper, Derbyshire as part of Supplementary Planning Document preparation. The other on 9 March is part of the Sneinton Alchemy Neighbourhood Design Vision work.
OPUN recently appointed by Amber Valley Borough Council and East Midlands Councils planning consultants to...
