The Architects’ Journal Architecture News & Buildings
Design codes are written by people with little understanding of design
The government’s latest piece of planning guidance, The National Model Design Code, is an ill-written collection of platitudes masquerading as design wisdom, says Paul Finch
Planning
News about the planning system in the UK, including permitted development rights, the National Planning Policy Framework, the London Plan and the ‘country house’ clause
Architect’s dismay at ‘perverse’ refusal of affordable housing over lack of parking spaces
Ellis Williams Architects (EWA) has hit out at the rejection of its community-led housing scheme near Liverpool for failing to meet the council’s target of two parking spaces per home
Office S&M submits plans for Para 79 countryside ‘earth house’
AJ 40 under 40 practice Office S&M has submitted plans for an off-grid Paragraph 79 house made of recycled tyres embedded into an East Sussex hillside
‘Poundshop Versailles’ row could be repeated up and down the land
Legislation giving fresh powers to local worthies who want to dictate the look for their area could mire planning in unhelpful ‘style wars’, warns Paul Finch
Government sets out roadmap to making developments ‘beautiful’
The government has published details of how it will ensure new developments are ‘beautiful’ as part of its forthcoming overhaul of the English planning system
Relief as Jenrick finally approves mayor’s London Plan
Architects have expressed relief after the government finally signed off Sadiq Khan’s long-awaited London Plan
A new national design code looks like a positive step. But is it?
There is a real risk that the new National Design Code Template will become an instrument of a government policy proposal intended to cut local democracy out of the planning process, warns Ben Derbyshire
Creative workspaces can replace retail and bring new life to urban centres
Commercial-to-residential redevelopment is only one part of the remedy for declining high streets. Adding workshops and start-up hubs at street level is the other ingredient in a successful regeneration mix, says Damien Sharkey
End of road for Hoskins’ Royal High School plans as site goes on sale
The City of Edinburgh Council has decided to put the celebrated Royal High School onto the open market – effectively ending Hoskins Architects’ plans to develop Thomas Hamilton’s Neoclassical landmark
Jenrick’s ‘right to regenerate’ derelict public land ‘misguided’ says profession
The housing secretary’s plans to allow underused public buildings to be sold and turned into homes have met with scepticism from architects