How Good Design Shapes Planning Decisions

If you’ve ever tried to put in a planning application—or even just looked at one—you’ll know how complicated the planning system can seem. And when people talk about “design,” it can sound like they’re only referring to how a building looks.

But in planning, design is much bigger than that. It’s about how places work, how they feel, and how they fit together so they can be enjoyed long into the future.

This guide breaks the topic down, so you can understand how design affects planning decisions, what planners mean by “good design,” and how you can use this knowledge to shape better proposals.

So… What Do Planners Actually Mean by “Design”?

Here’s the first secret: design isn’t just architecture. It’s not about picking a pretty brick or choosing trendy window frames. When planners assess design, they’re really asking:

• Does this development make sense in its surroundings?

• Is it easy for people to move around?

• Do the buildings sit comfortably together?

• Are the streets and open spaces inviting and safe?

• Does it feel like a coherent place rather than a random collection of buildings?

Design includes things like where the entrances are, how buildings relate to each other, how streets connect, and whether public spaces feel welcoming. It affects how people live, work, travel, and experience a place day to day.

So it’s not really about style. It’s about function, character, comfort, safety, and longevity.

Why Design Has Become Such a Big Deal in Planning

In recent years, the Government has pushed design right to the top of the planning agenda. National policy now puts huge emphasis on creating places that are:

• High quality

• Healthy and safe

• Sustainable

• Locally distinctive

• Long-lasting

• And yes—“beautiful”

That last word sometimes raises eyebrows, because what counts as “beautiful”?

The important thing to understand is that it isn’t a style test. It’s about ambition. The Government wants development that improves places, stands the test of time, and gives people pride in where they live.

In practice, this means poorly designed developments—those that ignore local character, create awkward spaces, or would age badly—can be refused.

The Key National Guidance

A lot of the rules around design come from national planning documents. Here’s a quick, jargon-free summary of the big ones you’ll see referenced.

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

This is the “big picture” rulebook for planning. On design, it expects:

• Local councils to set clear design standards.

• Developers to engage with communities early.

• Streets in new developments to be tree-lined where possible.

• Badly designed schemes to be refused.

• High-quality, well-designed schemes to be given extra weight.

Essentially: raise the bar, consult people properly, and think about long-term quality.

National Design Guide (NDG)

This sets out ten characteristics of good design, covering topics like:

• Context and local character

• Identity

• Built form

• Movement and connections

• Nature

• Public spaces

• Mix of uses

• Homes and buildings

• Sustainable resources

• Lifespan and long-term stewardship

You can think of the NDG as the checklist for what a “well-designed place” should achieve overall.

National Model Design Code (NMDC)

This explains how councils should write local design codes. A design code is basically a clear rulebook for a site or area—things like:

• Building heights

• Street layouts

• Materials

• Boundary treatments

• Landscaping

Crucially, these codes should be shaped with community involvement from the outset.

Why Local Design Policies Matter So Much

National guidance sets the tone, but local councils write their own design rules based on what’s appropriate for their area. These might be found in:

• Local plan policies

• Design Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)

• Area-specific design codes

• Conservation area guidance

• Masterplans for key development sites

These documents explain what “good design” looks like locally. They might reference historic street patterns, local building materials, typical architectural forms, or the landscape setting.

If a new development aligns with these local expectations, it stands a much better chance of getting planning permission.

How Good Design Is Actually Judged

This is where many people get confused, because good design isn’t about copying the past or sticking rigidly to one style. Instead, planners consider a whole range of factors. Here are some of the questions they might ask:

1. Does the design respond to its context?

A well-designed proposal:

• Understands the patterns of the surrounding area

• Picks up on cues like building lines, massing and proportions

• Acknowledges both the character and the constraints

• Doesn’t jar or dominate without good reason

Context doesn’t mean “copy.” It means “learn from what’s there.”

2. Is the layout functional and coherent?

Good layout means:

• Clear routes

• Logical connections

• Safe, legible streets

• Well-defined open spaces

• Easy navigation

People should instinctively understand how a place works.

3. Is the scale appropriate?

Scale refers to height, mass, and overall size. A building doesn’t need to be tiny to be appropriate—but it does need to feel comfortable alongside its neighbours.

4. Are homes and buildings designed with people in mind?

That includes:

• Daylight

• Privacy

• Noise levels

• Outlook

• Accessibility

• Adaptability

Bad internal environments often lead to planning refusal.

5. Does the design incorporate nature?

Trees, planting, open spaces and ecological features aren’t extras—they’re central. New streets are expected to include trees where feasible, and landscaping is increasingly seen as essential to wellbeing.

6. Are public spaces safe and welcoming?

Well-designed places avoid narrow alleys, hidden corners, and confusing layouts. Good visibility, clear paths and natural surveillance all matter.

7. Is it sustainable—not just environmentally, but socially and economically?

This includes:

• Efficient energy use

• Climate resilience (like flood and heat considerations)

• Mixed uses

• Opportunities for social interaction

Sustainability in design is far wider than just solar panels.

Community Engagement: Why It Matters More Than Ever

The planning system now strongly encourages early, meaningful engagement with local people. Schemes that involve communities from the outset often:

• Develop better local support

• Resolve issues before submission

• Produce designs that respond to actual needs

• Fare better in planning decisions

Councils and inspectors are increasingly looking for evidence of consultation, not just a tick-box exercise at the end.

Design and Access Statements

For many planning applications, a Design and Access Statement (DAS) is required. Think of it as the “story” of how the design came together. A good DAS should explain:

• What the applicant learned about the site

• How that shaped the design

• Why certain choices were made

• How the building will be accessed by everyone

Unfortunately, many DAS documents are just glossy brochures describing the proposal with little justification. Decision-makers can—and often do—draw conclusions if the DAS doesn’t demonstrate genuine design thinking.

What Does “Beautiful” Mean in Planning?

The Government talks a lot about creating “beautiful” places. It’s not about making everything chocolate-box perfect. It’s more about:

• Quality and craftsmanship

• Pleasant, human-scale streets

• Strong landscaping

• Buildings that age gracefully

• Long-term pride in place

It’s an ambition rather than a rigid test. But it reinforces the idea that development should be built to last and genuinely uplift an area.

Red Flags: Signs of Poor Design

Planners are trained to spot the warning signs of a badly considered scheme. These often include:

• Over-dominant scale

• Incoherent layout

• Poor connections

• Lifeless public space

• Minimal landscaping

• Weak understanding of local character

• Bad daylighting or cramped internal layouts

• Excessive reliance on conditions to fix design issues

If a proposal feels like it’s been designed “from the inside out” with no regard for its surroundings, it usually struggles.

What You Can Do to Strengthen Your Own Proposal

You don’t need to be a design expert to put forward a strong application. Here are some practical steps:

1. Study your surroundings

Take photos, sketch the street, note typical materials and building forms.

2. Read your council’s design guidance

It may feel daunting, but it gives you the answers to the test.

3. Think about neighbours early

Daylight, privacy and overlooking are among the most common objections.

4. Prioritise outdoor space and landscaping

Even small interventions—hedges, trees, gardens—make a big difference.

5. Make access simple and obvious

Where people enter, how they move, and how services reach the building should be clear.

6. Explain your thinking

A solid explanation often carries weight, even for a design that’s a little different.

7. Engage with the community

This is increasingly expected, even for modest schemes.

Final Thoughts: Good Design Is About Making Places People Love

Design in the planning system isn’t about enforcing a particular style or making life difficult for applicants. It’s about ensuring new development contributes positively to the wider place—now and in the future. When design is thoughtful, grounded in context, and focused on people, it tends to get support.

Whether you’re planning an extension, designing a new home, or simply interested in shaping your community, understanding these principles gives you a clearer, more confident voice in the process.

About Me

Andrew Ransome is the planning director at ADP and is a chartered member of the RTPI, with over 22 years of town planning experience.

Andrew has extensive experience offering strategic planning solutions to challenging projects in both rural and urban settings. Follow him on Linkedin.

Get in touch