Article: Building and landscape design services Article Body Urban design is the process of making places. Good urban design can produce attractive buildings, spaces, streets and landscape, which all go to make up a townscape that is pleasant to live and work in. Eligibility Whether a proposed development is large or small, there are always opportunities for anyone to enhance the environment with new building works. The government's Planning Policy Statement 1 states, 'Good design should contribute positively to making places better for people'. Places need to look good, need to make people feel good, need to work well in terms of access and comfort for all and need to provide a safe and secure environment. Procedure - urban design checklist. Appropriate Is the proposal suitable for its context in terms of siting, density, size and materials? Distinctive Does the building design incorporate or reflect distinctive features of the locality? Attractive Has the building design been considered in terms of scale, proportions and balance? Townscape Will the building enhance the character of the local street scene? Are the buildings put together to create interesting and attractive streets and spaces? Landscape Has planting been designed as an integral part of the scheme? Can it be used to provide enclosure and privacy, as well as acting as an attractive setting to the buildings? Sustainable Is the building designed for long life, in terms of materials and adaptability? Does it have easy access to local services and public transport? Secure Does the scheme divide clearly into public and private areas? Are the public spaces overlooked by buildings? Access Does the building provide access for all, without inconvenient ramps? Although the building may comply with Part M of the Building Regulations, how much of the building is really accessible to those with difficulties? Aspect/orientation Has the scheme been designed to take full advantage of views and sunshine? Further advice Barnsley Council's Planning and Transportation Service has a group called Renaissance-Design-Conservation (RDC Group) which can advise on all aspects of urban design, especially schemes for Barnsley town centre and historic buildings. Barnsley Urban Renaissance telephone: (01226) 772645 Design and Conservation telephone: (01226) 772561 How the customer can help Customers can help by preparing as much information as possible on sites, including levels, existing buildings on and surrounding the site and landscape. On any project, the customer can help by engaging professional agents appropriate to the scale of the work. The best schemes are usually designed by registered architects. Saving money on the design stages of a project may be a false economy, if the scheme is later subject to delays or refusal of planning permission on design grounds. Leaflets There are a number of helpful documents produced by the government: By Design - Urban design in the planning system: towards better practice By Design - better places to live Safer Places - the Planning System and Crime Prevention Planning and Access for Disabled People: A Good Practice CABE is the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment that has been set up to promote good building and urban design. With English Heritage it has produced: Building in Context: New development in historic areas. Barnsley Council Unitary Development Plan 2000 Built Environment Policies Barnsley Council has produced a series of SPGs (Supplementary Planning Guidance Notes) on topics associated with urban design. Related links ODPM Cabe English Heritage Architecture