Localism and planning

Effective planning can deliver good design in the right place and at the right time. Without it we can end up with a legacy of failed buildings, spaces and places.

Design Council Cabe supports the process of delivering good quality design through the planning system. Our work builds confidence in local authorities and communities to achieve good design, from the neighbourhood to the strategic level. We work with other organisations such as the Planning Inspectorate and Planning Aid to provide staff training on design.  

The National Planning Policy Framework

Design is recognised in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) as a vital part of delivering sustainable development. We highlight key design policies and outline how we will work with communities, councils and industry to create better places.

A Design Wayfinder

Need help making the case for good design? Our ‘wayfinding’ publication can help.

Making places better

We have been providing training to local authorities on how to make places better through local and neighbourhood plans.

Neighbourhood Planning Toolkits and Guidance - MAY UPDATES

Neighbourhood plans are a way for local people to get together and set out a vision for their area, supported by their local authority.

Neighbourhood planning projects

Our neighbourhood planning programme is helping communities and local authorities across England put good design into the heart of their neighbourhood plans.

Neighbourhood Projects Small Grants 2011-2012

To provide communities with design expertise and support, we've established the Neighbourhood Projects Small Grants Programme, which is providing funding for local organisations to improve the quality of their built environment.

Creating safe places to live through design

Six recently built housing schemes were examined as part of a CABE crime and urban design research project that was funded by the Home Office and undertaken in 2009-2010.

Local Development Framework Workshops

Design Council CABE is running new LDF workshops for local authorities, LDF Workshops are designed to help local authorities embed good quality design and placemaking in their emerging LDF documents and neighbourhood plans.

Building for Life

Building for Life is the national standard for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods

Design in Planning Workshops

Planning workshop in action

Design Council Cabe ran a series of Design in Planning workshops over the summer, to provide expert advice to local authorities on how to achieve good design within the changing planning system.