Design Issues

Everyone has a slightly different idea as to what constitutes good design. Beauty is, after all, in the eye of the beholder. Nobody has a monopoly on 'good taste'. Experience shows, however, that there are certain principles in the design process which, if adopted, will help to ensure a pleasing result.

New Buildings

When designing a new building, the starting point should be to consider the context of the site. The character and appearance of the surrounding area should be a prime factor in shaping its design, together with the requirements of the proposed use. An assessment should be made not only of the built form, materials and detailing, but also of the character of the spaces between buildings, the form and appearance of the street scene, and the landscape generally. A poor quality environment should not be seen as an excuse for compounding the situation, but rather as a challenge to improve it.

This approach does not mean that all new buildings have to copy older traditional styles. A well-designed modern building which relates well to its setting can constitute an improvement, adding diversity to an area, whilst respecting its context. Each site will, however, be unique, and proposals must take this into account. Standard 'pattern book' designs can only serve to blur the local identity of an area.

The design of all new dwellings should seek to take advantage of solar gain in terms of orientation and location of principal rooms. Buildings with a narrow floor plan allow a much greater penetration of the sun into the house than those with a very deep floor plan.

Access the South Bedfordshire Design Guide: Design Statements for New Dwellings on Infill Sites. The Guide offers advice on how to compile a Design Statement for your scheme, through an appraisal of the site in its context and an identification of the constraints and opportunities of the site. The Guide has been adopted by the Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Extensions to Houses

Shop signs and other advertisements

Access the South Bedfordshire Design Guide: Shop Signs and Other Advertisements. The Guide offers advice on the ways in which advertisements can increase the quality of our surroundings and contribute colour and variety to the built environment. The Guide has been adopted by the Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Before you commission formal drawings, you may wish to prepare a rough sketch of your proposal and to have an informal discussion with Planning Officers at the District Council, who will be happy to advise you. To contact a Planning Officer.