Ensuring strong design vision
Ashford already has strong track record of initiatives to
encourage high design quality across the borough to help deliver
the highest possible standards in new homes, businesses and
communities.
Initiatives taken by the council include:
- Design workshops
- Best practice learning trips
- Annual visits to completed developments
- Strong design policy
- Design Awards Scheme
- Ashford’s Future Design Charter
- Regional Design Panel in Ashford
Design workshops
A central part of Ashford’s approach to creating new places is
working with the local community to develop ideas about the best
way forward. The council was recognised for its work with the award
of Beacon Council status.
Best practice learning trips
For many years the council has taken local community groups,
councillors and officers to look at exemplar developments in
southern England including Greenwich, Dartford and Poundbury in
Dorset.
Visits to completed developments
The council’s Planning Committee regularly visits completed
developments with officers to assess the quality of finished
schemes and learn from experience.
Strong design policy
The council has produced detailed policy guidance to help
applicants and give officers and the Planning Committee the tools
needed to press for high quality design.
Design Awards Scheme
Every two years the council runs a design awards scheme to
recognise excellent design and delivery of projects, large and
small, in the borough. Setting high standards and rewarding quality
helps to raise aspirations for all involved.
This year’s winners including the Singleton Environment Centre,
shared space and Phoenix Community School.
Ashford’s Future Design Charter
The council led the initiative to sign up all partners involved
in delivering Ashford’s growth to improve design standards and
commit to a series of steps in the design process that will help to
deliver excellent new projects in Ashford.
Regional Design Panel in Ashford
The recently established Regional Design Panel includes a team
of experts in the design and creation of better buildings and
places. The Panel comment on key project designs as they emerge and
provide an independent expert view to decision makers locally.
This webpage was updated on
11/29/2010