Guidance on Tall Buildings revised

 English Heritage and Cabe have reviewed and updated their joint Guidance on Tall Buildings, first published in 2003, to reflect changes to the planning system and their experience of evaluating planning applications for tall buildings. This work has been endorsed by the sponsoring Government Departments – DCLG and DCMS. A consultation draft of the revised Guidance on Tall Buildings is out to consultation until 1 May 2007.

The original guidance has proved to be a robust document valued by planners, developers and architects. The revised guidance updates and reinforces the approach advocated by English Heritage and Cabe to local authorities for proactively planning for tall buildings as part of the planning-making process, to help the development control processing of applications.

This revised guidance re-emphasises the importance of the plan-led approach to the location of tall buildings in order to identify areas which are appropriate. It recommends local authorities adopt planning policies or a strategy in supplementary guidance specifically for tall buildings.

It also reiterates that because of their high profile and dominant impact, tall buildings should set exemplary standards in design. The revised guidance additionally places sustainable design and construction as part of the design standards to be met.

Launching the consultation on the revised guidance, Steve Bee, Director of Planning and Development at EH said: “Planning decisions on tall buildings have to balance not just the economic benefits they may provide but the impact on the quality and significance of the surrounding area.  The revised guidance and the associated guidance being provided by English Heritage and CABE will help local authorities and other interested parties achieve that right balance.”

The consultation documents and details of how to respond to the consultation can be found by following the link below:

Guidance on Tall Buildings Main Page