What is the Nottingham Design Review Panel?

The Nottingham Design Review Panel has been set up to achieve high standards and raise aspirations of design in the built environment by providing expert, constructive, independent and consistent advice to developers and clients on schemes.  

Who sits on the Panel?

The Panel consists of experts in a range of fields, which include planning, architecture, urban design, landscape design and sustainability.  There is an invited pool of 12 panel members, 6 local and 6 regional, in addition the panel will draw on other specialist expertise when appropriate i.e. English Heritage or a representative from a local amenity / civic group.

What schemes do the panel comment upon?

The panel considers a wide range of schemes within the Nottingham City Council boundary and follows national procedures and guidelines established by Commission of Architecture in the Built Environment – CABE.

How often does the panel meet?

The panel meets eight times a year at approximately six-week intervals, normally on a Friday, with each panel meeting lasting from approximately 10.00 – 16.00.    In general the panel will be made up of The Chair and 2 local and 2 regional representatives.  

What happens at a panel meeting?

The meeting commences with a briefing of the scheme(s) including a site visit(s).  Each scheme will then be allocated an hour slot with a 10-15 minute presentation, predominantly from design boards, (Guidelines for those presenting to the panel is available to download). The remainder of the session is for the panel to ask questions, discuss and form views on the proposal.  The discussion will conclude with the Chair summarising the panel’s advice, this will take place in the presence of all those invited to the meeting.   

How are comments fed back after a meeting?

Following the panel meeting a written Design Review report will be produced commenting on the architectural, urban design qualities and implications of each proposal, and recommending actions or options to improve the design quality of the proposal.     

The aim of the report is to assist and encourage the potential to achieve high quality design.  With regard to formal planning applications, the contents of the report will be conveyed to Development Control Committee through the planning officer’s report and encouraged to be regarded as a material consideration.

How can I obtain further information?

If you any enquiries please contact Dharmista Patel on 0115 915 5218 or e-mail dharmista.patel@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Downloads

Terms of Reference (38KB)

Guidelines for presenters (26KB)

Panel Meeting Dates 2008 (19KB)

CABE – How to do design review