Local
Authorities

We would like to know…

Do you have resources to assess and set strategies for the pattern, scale and design quality of places in your local plan?

Does the design quality of a site reflect the vision for that site as set out in your local plan?

Can you visualise housing mix and density when setting dwelling numbers?

Does your affordable housing mix conflict with housing density policy?

Do you need framework plans to set out your vision and do you have resources to review your plan every five years?

…this is what we do for you

Local Plans (design sections) positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent
with national policy.
Development Briefs setting out your vision for a specific site.
Design Guides to guide planning applicants to deliver the design quality you set.
Masterplans to capture and communicate your vision for your site.
Design Codes to ensure delivery of the design quality in your vision for the site.
Design Quality Reviews and assessments based on clear evidence.
Pre-design services:
Analysis of sites and their surroundings
Preparation of a suite of Framework Plans
Preparation of local density & character studies
Production of studies of wider area connections
Engagement with Parish and Town Councils through presentations and discussions
Delivery of public exhibition events and online consultations
Preparation of planning policy assessments and evidence

and all this means…

We understand the challenges of the planning process and can assist with delivering your vision for attractive sustainable placemaking through design excellence.

We understand the planning processes and challenges you face. We will design and communicate your vision, at local plan, or site specific level, ensuring that design quality is communicated and achieved.

We also understand house builders, developers and land agents and their business challenges. With that knowledge we can assist in setting up good relationships between applicants, local authorities and the communities they serve. Understanding their business drivers as well as your challenges means that we can help you set and communicate achievable design quality goals through development briefs, design guides and design codes, that will deliver your vision.

This 1:500 scale model of a development in Cambridge was used as part of public consultation event. As well as fun, the cake model was a valuable tool to inform scale and massing without looking like the design was already predetermined.

“Suffolk County Council engaged Bluepencil to prepare masterplans across a number of schemes, in particular two 1,000+ home schemes in the east and west of the county. Bluepencil produced framework plans, masterplans and documents that were well received by planners and by the public, and that were able to balance the plethora of guidance, from Building for a Healthy Life through to Suffolk parking standards. The plans also provided a high degree of flexibility for the eventual site developer. Bluepencil were a pleasure to work with – structured, prompt, experts in their field and confident working with planners, land owners, specialists and the public”

Rob Hancock
Assistant Director Planning, Housing and Economic Growth
Suffolk County Council
"The Design and Access Statement produced by Bluepencil which sets out the analysis and masterplan design development is exemplar.”

Case Officer
Maidstone Borough Council
"All architects engaged by developers should take a leaf out of your book. This is exactly how it should be done."

Councillor J. Evans
Uttlesford District Council
"We praise the design team’s positive engagement and cross-collaboration with key stakeholders, throughout the design process. This resulted in a well rounded and thought-out development scheme which aligned with local ambition for the site."

Epping Forest District Council and North Weald Bassett Parish Council