Design Review
The Independent Design Review Panel for Yorkshire and the Humber
About us
Design Yorkshire is the Independent Design Review Panel for Yorkshire and the Humber. Our multi-disciplinary panel of built and natural environment experts review projects of all sizes at all stages of the planning and design process. We support local authorities, developers, design teams, and government bodies to improve the quality of design and placemaking across Yorkshire and the Humber.
Design Yorkshire is a member of the Design Network, a group of six not-for-profit organisations working in each region to raise the quality of design and placemaking nationally.
Design Yorkshire is the region’s only accredited Building for a Healthy Life provider delivering training, assessments and reviews.
Bespoke design services for…
Government Agencies and Local Authorities
Developers and Design Teams
Communities and Local Councils
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Design review is recognised in the NPPF as a tool to improve design outcomes in the built environment, and can help design teams and local authorities to better achieve the principles set out in the NPPF and the National Design Guide.
Learn more about design review or arrange a review by contacting us.
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Design Enabling is a tailored package of support that helps individuals and teams increase their skills, capacity, and knowledge relating to design, placemaking, and the planning and development process.
Our multi-disciplinary panel of built and natural environment experts have a wide variety of skills and experience that can be drawn upon to support your project or development needs. With experience working within public, private and third sectors, we have the right skills and expertise to support you and your team.
Examples of Design Enabling exercises: Visioning workshops, Training and CPD, Interactive design workshops, Leading site visits, Co-producing site and development briefs, Planning policy / SPD / development framework support.
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Building for a Healthy Life is England’s best known and well used design toolkit that helps create healthy, sustainable, and well design places.
Design Yorkshire is the region’s only accredited Building for a Healthy Life provider. Learn more about our Building for a Healthy Life services or book a review by contacting Jamie Wilde on:
0114 4000 382
jamie@designyorkshire.org
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Design Yorkshire delivers bespoke training packages covering a range of planning and design related themes.
Training packages are tailored to suit your needs and can take place through workshops, seminars, and masterclasses, either online or in person.
Common themes include: Design coding, Building for a Healthy Life, Design in historic environments, Designing with landscape and nature, and officer and member training.
Government Agencies and Local Authorities
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We offer industry leading design review, focussing on Yorkshire and the Humber, delivering expert, independent multi-disciplinary advice on plans, policies, and projects.
Design review is recognised in the NPPF as a tool to improve design outcomes in the built environment, and can help design teams and local authorities to better achieve the principles set out in the NPPF and the National Design Guide.
We work closely with government agencies, local planning authorities, developers and design teams to deliver positive, engaging and interactive reviews at all stages of the design process.
Our panel covers a range of disciplines and specialisms including: architecture, urban design, planning, landscape architecture, engineering, ecology, heritage and conservation, movement and transport.
To arrange a design review or to request more information please contact Jamie Wilde.
0114 4000 382
jamie@designyorkshire.org
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Building for a Healthy Life is England’s best known and well used design toolkit that helps create healthy, sustainable, and well design places.
Design Yorkshire is the region’s only accredited Building for a Healthy Life provider and delivers reviews and assessments of schemes.
Learn more about our Building for a Healthy Life services or book a review by contacting Jamie Wilde on:
0114 4000 382
jamie@designyorkshire.org
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Our team has an array of consultancy experience and works closely with public, private, and third sector stakeholders to support and deliver design and development based projects.
Previous projects include: design coding and guidance, community engagement and consultation, feasibility studies, research, and the production of SPDs.
We are always keen to explore new opportunities and partner with other organisations. If you have a project or bid and would like expert design support please get in touch.
Developers and design teams
Communities and local councils
Design Yorkshire provides a range of services to support communities and local councils to help shape how neighbourhoods and communities develop.
More details can be found here in our local council prospectus (opens in a new window).
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Our expert team has produced Neighbourhood Plans throughout Yorkshire and the Humber for local councils ranging from small rural villages to large urban areas and historic market towns.
We understand the process may seem daunting, which is why we offer guidance and support every step of the way. Our goal is to produce high quality, fit-for-purpose plans that reflect local aspirations and effectively tackle key issues.
Our Neighbourhood Planning service includes:
• Scoping to understand if a Neighbourhood Plan is right for you.
• Funding and grant support.
• Project planning and management.
• Engagement and consultation with the community and local stakeholders.
• Identifying local issues and opportunities.
• Policy writing.
• Evidence gathering.
• Liaising with Local Planning Authorities.
• Producing a high-quality visual document.
• Production of supporting material and evidence base.
We are proud to have a 100% success rate. Every plan that our team has produced has been successful at referendum and subsequently adopted by the Local Planning Authority.
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Design codes are government-endorsed tools designed to set clear design rules and expectations for new developments.
At the local level, design codes complement Neighbourhood Plans to enhance development quality, ensuring new buildings and spaces align with community expectations. They articulate a design vision and establish specific guidelines for both entire neighbourhoods and individual development sites.
For Town, Village, and Parish councils, design codes provide comprehensive guidance across their areas, incorporating community input to reflect local priorities and enhance local character. By highlighting positive design features, design codes help new developments respond effectively to the local context.
Design codes build on Neighbourhood Plan policies and address various design aspects, including:
• Local character
• Public spaces
• Street design
• Parking
• Pedestrian and cycle movement
• Density, scale, and mass of new development
• Infill housing development
• Landscape
Overall, design codes ensure that new developments are well-designed and contextually appropriate, enhancing the quality and distinctiveness of local areas.
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We can support local councils and community groups with building based projects, whether it be architectural or planning support, help with running engagement, funding applications, or feasibility studies.
We have a strong track record of working on projects funded by the Heritage Lottery and Architectural Heritage Fund. Our experience with these funding bodies means we understand the intricacies of their requirements and expectations. We can guide you through every step of the application process, from initial concept development to final submission, ensuring your project stands out and has the best chance of securing the necessary funding.
We offer tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each project, using our expertise to maximise impact and efficiency.
If you would like to discuss how we can help with building based projects, please contact director Robbie Ormrod on
0114 4000 382 or by email at robbie@designyorkshire.org