Deloitte Real Estate's Manchester Planning team has played an integral part in the preparation of the draft Manchester Residential Design Quality Guide and will continue to advise Manchester City Council as the document is developed up to its publication in early 2017.
This is the first time that Manchester has produced a residential design guide and is brought forward in the context of the City's aspiration for delivering 25,000 new homes over the next 10 years.
What?
There has been an increase in the number of residential schemes under construction or securing planning in recent years. Against this context, Manchester City Council wanted a document that will assist in securing a legacy of better quality residential development into the future.
The Guidance sets out the key ingredients that should be addressed in designing, building and managing residential development in order to achieve what Manchester expects. It does not replicate established legislation and policy standards set out elsewhere but is designed to identify minimum standards for residential development where appropriate whilst at the same time allowing sufficient flexibility so as not to stifle innovative, creative approaches.
Once approved, the Guidance will become a material consideration in the determination of future planning applications.
When?
The draft Guidance was published for consultation in Autumn 2016 and a final version is due to be published at the end of the year.
Does my planning application need to consider the draft?
In its current form, the draft document has limited material weight in planning decisions. However, the draft Guidance has been endorsed by the City's executive and so provides a clear indication of Manchester's expectations for residential design proposals. Development proposals that successfully address the draft at this stage are therefore more likely to be able to make a robust design case.
Once a final version is published, the Council will expect all residential planning applications to address the Guidance. If you are currently progressing a scheme that is in the pre-application phase, the determination of your forthcoming application may take place after the final version has been published and so we would recommend project teams familiarise themselves with the emerging draft.
What do you think?
We would also be happy to discuss any questions you may have about the document and welcome any comments directly in addition to those you may wish to formally make as part of the consultation.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
