We expect all new development to demonstrate excellence in architecture and design. We are committed to raising the standard of design across the city, from householder applications to major residential developments. We are doing this by:
- engaging with local residents and developers to promote good design through pre-application discussions and consultations
- creating and implementing strong design policies
- working with the Oxford Design Review Panel
- using our Urban design Officers to deliver a high quality design process for new developments
Oxford Design Review Panel
Oxford City Council have been running the Oxford Design Review Panel (ODRP) for over 10 years. It is run in house by the Urban Design team with a highly experienced panel of 40 members.
Design Review is an independent and impartial evaluation process conducted by a panel of built environment experts and is an essential part of the planning process. Oxford Design Review Panel promotes high quality design to help create better buildings, streets and public spaces in the city.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) reinforces the role of Design Review in ensuring high standards of design. ODRP operates under the nationally accepted Design Review Principles and Practice guidance document.
We encourage all major development proposals to be assessed by ODRP before a planning application is submitted - a fee is charged for the service. To book a workshop or review do speak to the case officer working on the application or contact the ODRP team.
Design Review fees
- Design Workshop (half day) - £7,500 + VAT
- Design Review (half day) - £7,500 + VAT
- Design Review (full day) - £8,750 + VAT
Download the Oxford Design Review Panel documents.
To find out more about ODRP or to book a session please contact us, by Emailing the Oxford Design Review Panel or call 01865 252246.
The importance of high quality urban design and architecture
High quality urban design and architecture is key to making successful places that are good to live in, and attractive to visit. We want to ensure all new development makes a positive contribution to the city and to the lives of its residents and visitors. Well designed places are lively, varied and inspiring, with streets and public spaces that are safe, accessible, pleasant to use and human in scale. Careful urban design can also contribute to a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour as well as provide value for money in new developments, and efficient use of scarce resources.
Good design should:
- ensure that development can deliver a wide range of planning objectives
- enhance the quality of buildings and spaces, by considering amongst other things form and function; efficiency and effectiveness and their impact on well being
- address the need for different uses sympathetically
Achieving good design
A robust design process is essential to achieving high quality buildings and spaces. The process will consist of a number of stages, including:
- analysis of constraints and opportunities of the site and its context
- design development, including exploration of development options
- consultation
Analysis will, of course, come first, however, consultation often needs to be done in parallel, and not only after the design is finalised.
