Planning Advice Note 68: Design Statements

Planning Advice Note 68: Design Statements

Eastgate shopping centre, Inverness

Introduction

Designing Places, published in November 2001, sets out the Scottish Executive's expectations of the planning system to deliver high standards of design in development and redevelopment projects.

This Planning Advice Note (PAN) focuses on design statements. It is one of a series of advice notes which address design in more detail and should be read in conjunction with them. It explains what a design statement is, why it is a useful tool, when it is required and how it should be prepared and presented. The Annex describes the design process.

Although some applicants already submit design statements to accompany planning applications as a matter of course, most do not. Submitted design statements often lack structure and contain irrelevant information. A more consistent approach is needed.

This PAN does not introduce a prescriptive approach. It seeks to ensure that local authorities and applicants are clear about the role of design statements and applicants, in particular, become more confident in preparing them. The aim is to see design statements used more effectively in the planning process and to create places of lasting quality.

Eastgate's interior design	Broomielaw Square residential development, Glasgow