South Hams District Council established its Conservation and Design Panel in February 2006. The objective of the Panel is to promote high quality design and best practice in relation to the historic built environment. The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) encourages these Panels and provides guidance for setting up.

The Design and Conservation Panel's Role

The purpose of the Panel is to assess and comment in an advisory capacity on the design and conservation of significant proposals for development within the South Hams. Any recommendation of the Panel is not binding on the Council. However, its comments will be considered in making a decision on an application.

Who Sits on the Design and Conservation Panel?

The Panel comprises :-the Council's Historic Built Environment Champion, Design Champion, Urban Designer, Conservation Officer, Development  Control Officer, Head of Planning and Building Control. The Panel also has professionals from the areas of architecture and conservation. Due to the nature of the Panel its composition will continually change but its core structure will remain the same.

What does the Design and Conservation Panel do?

The Panel will assess proposals which are significant in terms of their design, relationship with the historic built environment of the area or where the development site is contentious. The Panel will consider the proposal in light of Council planning policy and national planning guidelines.

The Panel considers proposals which are generally at a pre-application stage to ensure that any recommendations can be considered by the Applicant/Agent before the proposal is submitted formally.

When and How is Panel advice sought?

The Panel meets monthly on the first Tuesday following the week of the Council's Development Control Committee. Whether a proposal is considered by the Panel is left at the discretion of the Head of Planning and Building Control.

What happens during a Panel?

Design proposals are passed to the Panel for consideration from the 2 Development Control teams.

• Applicants/Agents are invited to bring their proposal before the Panel and an agenda is circulated to the Panel members approximately 1 week before the Panel meets.
• Applicants/Agents are given 15 minutes to present their scheme to the Panel and the use of visual aids is recommended.
• The Planning officer then highlights any issues that they would like the Panel to consider.
• The Panel then addresses any questions they have to the Applicant/Agent regarding the proposal.
• The open session then closes and the Panel considers the scheme and reaches a recommendation.

How is the Panels advice given?

The Panels' advice is given in the form of a letter within 10 working days of the Panel meeting. Minutes of the Panel meeting are taken and these are available on request.

Terms of reference

Notes for presenters