Flashback: Independent Panel To Advise Council on Designs of Large Developments

Published on: 24 Feb, 2025
Updated on: 17 Feb, 2025

Flashback looks at Dragon NEWS stories of a decade ago.

Ten years ago this week the borough council was seeking advice on designs for large developments.

First published on The Guildford Dragon NEWS on February 23, 2015.

Guildford Borough Council is to seek advice from an independent review panel when it considers the design of proposals for new large-scale developments.

It has secured agreement with Design South East, an independent, not-for-profit provider of expert design advice.

Design Review is a process where a panel of experts provide design advice during the pre- and post-application stage of development.

The council says the panel offers constructive criticism and recommendations to secure a higher quality of design in new development.

It comprises professionals with expertise in architecture, urban design, landscape planning, building conservation, transport planning and sustainability.

Former council leader Stephen Mansbridge

Cllr Stephen Mansbridge, leader of Guildford Borough Council, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to secure expert design advice from some of the most influential and respected professionals in the industry.

“We are confident that the involvement of the panel will drive up the quality of design for large-scale new developments. The council is committed to ensuring that new development is of the highest quality of design and our association with Design South East is testament to that objective.”

Julian Lyon

Julian Lyon, the chairman of The Guildford Society, said: “We warmly welcome this initiative and the focus on quality design and great place-making it should bring.

“We have been critical of the lack of independent design scrutiny in the past and we will look forward to working with GBC and Design South East to help make Guildford’s new buildings better by design.”