What is a Local Design Review Panel?
Local Design Review Panels support local authorities to improve the quality of the built environment. They discuss address design issues early in the pre-application planning stage, when there is still time for dialogue and changes.
Please download our Local Panel Guide via the link above for more information.
Who are the panellists?
Local Panels are entirely voluntary. Membership represents local knowledge and expertise, typically in areas such as architecture, urban design, landscape, public art, heritage and amenities, community engagement, planning and infrastructure.
Are you a panellist? This guide gives information on being an effective panellist: How to be an effective panel member_A&DS Guide. This includes good practice, the support we offer and other key resources.
What happens during a panel meeting?
Developers, design teams and planners engage in constructive discussion with panel members who use their locally based skills and knowledge to make objective contributions that are in line with local council policy and guidance. This advice can be used by project teams to develop proposals for reference during the decision-making process.
Panel Remits and Governance
Several Local Authority areas currently benefit from the input of Local Design Review panels. They consist of representatives from local interest groups. They broadly share the remit of informing the Planning process by contributing local context and views on the proposals being presented; details of their overall governance, however, will differ between each panel.
To find out more about Local Design Review in your area please click on the links below:
- Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Design Review Panel
- Edinburgh Urban Design Panel
- Glasgow Urban Design Panel
- Inverness Design Review Panel
- West Dunbartonshire Place and Design Panel
A&DS Support
Panels are local-led and we are not affiliated with any specific Local Panel. Rather, we help build confidence and capacity by offering advice and by facilitating the sharing of knowledge between the panels.