Design Review Panel

The panel assists and encourages developers and their design teams to achieve and deliver high quality design in their development proposals.

It is expected that all major and significant development will be brought to the panel during the planning process, ideally at pre-application stage.

The advice will be an important means of achieving planning policy on high quality design in new developments.

Who they are

The Design Review Panel (DRP) is a group of professional design experts, which meets regularly to review development schemes at either pre-application stage of the planning process.

While the panel does not have decision-making powers, it serves as an advisory body helping to achieve the best built environment. Comments from the panel will be fed into the assessment of pre-application schemes, planning applications and appeals.

Schemes should be brought to the panel as early as possible within the design process in order to ensure a productive and beneficial outcome for all parties. By bringing a development to the panel early, design teams have an appropriate time to respond to panel advice and have a better chance to address design concerns prior to application – thus providing more assurances for the developer and helping to de-risk the planning application.

Panel members

Following a competitive application process the DRP is now made up of more than 30 experts and chaired by Keith Williams, director of Keith Williams Architects. The Deputy Chair is Landscape Architect, Paul Dodd.

Selected from almost 130 applicants, the members were chosen based on their design experience, critical ability, and understanding of development pressures facing the area.

Members consist of professionals including Architects, Landscape Architects, Urban Designers, and Sustainability Specialists.

What the DRP reviews

The panel evaluates borough wide developments, excluding Convoys Wharf, Lewisham Gateway and Surrey Canal Triangle – each of which has its own specific design panel.

The panel reviews planning applications and pre-application designs for new developments and significant alterations to existing buildings. In addition, it provides advice on public realm proposals and other planning documents that impact on the borough's townscape.

How the reviews work

The panel holds monthly meetings, where two to three schemes are reviewed. Prior to a meeting, members visit the proposal sites accompanied by our officers.

At the meetings, development proposals are presented by the developer's design team. Presentation material includes architectural models, presentations and display boards.

After the presentation, panel members ask questions to clarify any issues and discuss the design of the scheme with the design team and developer.

Following the meeting, a report is written by the Chair in collaboration with the other members present. This report is then circulated to the developers and their design team as well as any other stakeholders within 10 working days of the meeting.

If the proposal was reviewed at pre-application stage, the report remains confidential. If the proposal was reviewed at application stage, the report becomes a public document and is kept within the proposal's planning file.

Types of review

Standard review

A typical standard review will last for 90 minutes. This is made up of a 10 minute introduction and briefing by Planning Officers, a 20 minute presentation and 60 minutes for discussion, ending with a summary by the Chair.

During the design review the panel manager will take notes of the discussion to form the basis of the Chair’s report. Following the review, a report will be written by the Chair and issued within 10 working days.

Panels consist of a minimum of four members (inclusive of the Chair) where they will be chosen as far as possible on their skillset and experience to suit the scheme. For instance, where schemes involve heritage buildings, the panel will be formed of members with significant heritage expertise.

Wherever possible, a site visit will be arranged for design reviews (unless it is a repeat review) and all panel members are required to attend.

The venue for this review will be chosen and organised by us.

Premium review

A premium review will last for 150 minutes. This is made up of a 10 minute introduction and briefing by Planning Officers, a 40 minute presentation and a 100 minute discussion, ending with a summary by the Chair.

During the design review the panel manager will take notes of the discussion to form the basis of the Chair’s report. Following the review, a report will be written by the Chair and issued within 10 working days.

As with a standard review, panels consist of a minimum of four members (inclusive of the Chair) where they will be chosen as far as possible on their skillset and experience to suit the scheme.

A site visit will be arranged for premium design reviews (unless it is a repeat review) and all panel members required to attend.

The venue can be office chosen by the applicant.

Fee structure for Design Review Panel

Fees below effective 1 April 2023 

Cancellation of meeting

If you cancel your meeting within 28 working days, you will be charged with a fee of £655.20 (includes VAT). If the cancellation happens within 10 working days, the fee will be £1316.70 (includes VAT). For reorganisation of meeting date once meeting has been arranged (per reorganisation at customer request) the fee is £252 (includes VAT).