Championing design excellence in early stages of planning process

Championing design excellence in early stages of planning process

December 17, 2020

Vicki Colwell, Principal Planning Officer, gives an update on developing design excellence for potential new residential development.

Earlier this year, the SDNPA undertook public consultation on a draft Design Brief for residential development at land at Old Malling Farm, Lewes.

The land is approximately 10 hectares of farmland, to the north of Lewes town centre, allocated for development as part of the South Downs Local Plan.

During the consultation that ran earlier this year, we received 67 responses, which were all considered by the Authority.

Sustainable transport methods, sustainable construction and parking, amongst others, were highlighted as key actions and passed on to the applicant.  Following these changes being made, the Design Brief was approved in October 2020 and can be viewed in full here: www.southdowns.gov.uk/old-malling-farm-design-brief/

The Design Brief establishes evidence, parameters and design principles for the detailed design of the site.  It represents a positive and meaningful mechanism for delivering a landscape and ecosystem services led development, with an increased emphasis on sustainable construction and measures seeking avoidance and mitigation for the impacts of climate change.

Moving forward, the Design Brief will be an important consideration in the determination of any planning applications at the site.