South East Regional Design Panel
Key Principles
- Running a regional design panel
- Raising design quality
Details
Since its inception in 2002, the South East Regional Design Panel (SERDP) has delivered tangible benefits in terms of time saved during the planning process and improved design quality, successfully overcoming initial reluctance of developers to use the Panel.
Local Authorities with their own advisory panels are also using SERDP due to increased development pressures. A regional panel brings additional benefit. SERDP has helped overcome local conflicts of interest by giving independent views based on its understanding of the region’s performance.
Funded by the South East England Development Agency, SERDP champions design excellence and sustainability in the region. Made up of 33 design and development professionals, it provides a free design review service to public and private organisations. Projects are submitted to the panel on a voluntary basis.
It is managed by Kent Architecture Centre, an independent company that also provides, amongst other things, specialist advice, and training to local authorities. SERDP complements the CABE Design Review.
The review process includes a site visit and meeting to consider the application and a subsequent write-up. SERDP works at three stages of the development process:
- Early: Encourages consultation with the planning authority prior to the formal planning process and provides advice on initial briefs;
- Mid-term: Comments on design work at early stages; from assessments of initial concepts through to a ‘health check’ prior to planning submission;
- Late: Assesses design quality of planning applications. Occasionally it also gives evidence at Public Inquiries.
Barry Shaw, Chief Executive of Kent Architecture Centre states that ‘It’s not about being argumentative, but about making the system work better’.
Other Information
- Location: South East England
- Project Team: South East England Development Agency/ Kent Architecture Centre
- Contact: www.serdp.org.uk/
