Do you need help with your local development framework? 

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. Before the merger these workshops successfully for 3 years and is keen to continue offering expert help to local planners.

What is an LDF Workshop?

The workshop is an intensive half day working session between the local authority and our independent panel; it is an opportunity to get free expert advice, test new ideas and reflect on your emerging plan and its future direction. At each workshop our panel of experts provide peer support, critical friend feedback, and discussion about how to really think about “place” in the LDF process. We have worked with planners from 105 local authorities and reviewed 98 core strategies from all across England.

How can an LDF Workshop help?

Many local authorities have found the intensive workshop format an excellent way to shape their LDF documents, with 74.1% of authorities said that they found the session constructive or very constructive. 

How can I book an LDF Workshop?

We will be running workshops over during 2011/2012, if you’re a local authority working on the LDF and/or neighbourhood plans and are interested in the benefits of a workshop, please contact neil.double@designcouncil.org.uk for more information and dates. 

Promoting best practice in LDFs

Click the title to download the publication
Planning for places has three key messages for local authorities to embed design quality in their core strategy:

Tell the story

A good core strategy needs to tell the story of the place, explain how it works and highlight its qualities and distinguishing features. Telling the story helps everyone understand how the qualities of the place have shaped the strategy and its priorities for future quality.

Set the agenda

Use the core strategy to say what is wanted for the area, express aspirations and be proactive and positive about the future of the place and say how this will be achieved. Set out what is expected in terms of design quality and where necessary provide links to the relevant development plan documents or supplementary planning documents.

Say it clearly

Make the core strategy relevant and understandable to a wide audience. Use maps and diagrams to inform the text and communicate the strategy and show what quality of place means.

Watch the video by clicking the link below

Planning for places: delivering good design through core strategies

This video aims to help local authorities take a spatial approach to their core strategy and set the long-term vision for a place.