The securing of good design through the planning system is a perennial challenge that is becoming increasingly important in addressing climate change, securing positive outcomes for the community as well as health and wellbeing. Good design is more than a discussion around the merits of architectural style and extends beyond aesthetics and subjective concepts of beauty.

The importance of good design is needs to be recognised by councils trying to achieve sustainable development and reduced greenhouse house gas emissions. However, when allied to other objectives such as health and wellbeing, community cohesion and addressing inequalities, the rewards of securing multiple benefits become even more compelling. At a time when urgent action is required, good design in planning is how local councils can secure better places, help to meet their climate and carbon targets and reduce demands on the public purse well into the future.

This document provides an important guide for local councils who want to secure better design through planning policy, better defendable decisions and need to provide a good grounding for officers and Members.

This document was written by Tim Crawshaw, APSE Energy Associate and President of the Royal Town Planning Institute for 2022 and is available to APSE Energy members without charge. All energy members will have received the password. Please contact James Jefferson at [email protected] if you'd like to be resent the password.

For further information about APSE Energy, please contact Phil Brennan, Head of APSE Energy on 0161 772 1810 or at [email protected] or Charlotte Banks, Principal Advisor at [email protected]

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