THOUGHTS
GUIDELINES SHOULD BE INSPIRING, PUTTING MORE EMPHASIS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO RATHER THAN ON WHAT YOU CAN'T.
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Reading time: 2:30 min
GUIDELINES SHOULD BE INSPIRING, PUTTING MORE EMPHASIS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO RATHER THAN ON WHAT YOU CAN'T.
When Designed By Good People started in 2010 our background was in multi-disciplinary design. We had designed packaging for huge brands, huge ranges of products for international supermarkets, marketing campaigns for banks, logo's, branding strategy, guidelines, posters and signage.
We'd always had an interest in high streets and how they had changed. On the train to present some concepts to Asda, we redesigning a local shop and published it on a local forum. We discussed how relatively small changes could make a huge difference to how a high street looks.
To cut a long story short, that led to us being invited to advise the Mayor of London on high street regeneration. We have worked on hundreds of shop front designs, murals and artworks since.
And here we are 14 years later talking about planning for high streets.
And there is a problem.
It's broken.
This is why and how to fix it.
PLANNING IS TOO GENERIC
High streets across the UK should be bursting with character and individuality. However, the planning process doesn't reflect this diversity. The rules are too generic, treating every area the same, as if every shop was designed in 1900 without considering the unique architecture and character of each location and how it has changed over time.
For example, a shopfront in a quaint Cotswolds village should have different considerations compared to one in a bustling city centre. A more localised approach would respect the idiosyncrasies of each high street, ensuring new developments blend seamlessly with their surroundings.
The complexity of the current planning system is enough to deter even the most determined shop owner. If you want to make a seemingly simple change, like adding an awning, you're often required to go through the full planning application process. This is not only expensive but also difficult to navigate.
We recently had a wait 4 months for permission to change a Dutch awning to a Traditional awning. It needed full planning permission. The process included questions which were only relevant to a major building project.
Here’s where it gets even more baffling: if your awning has some lettering, you can apply for advertising consent, which is a quicker and much cheaper process. However, a plain awning without any lettering requires a more complex application. This inconsistency only adds to the frustration and confusion for shop owners trying to enhance their storefronts. Guidelines (SPDs) often don't articulate which process you need to apply for or if something falls within permitted development. It should be crystal clear what permission you need for every project.
The lengthy process is another major hurdle. By making the application process more complicated than necessary, it clogs up the system, delaying approvals and leaving shop owners in limbo. This inefficiency is a burden not just on the applicants but also on the planning authorities, who have to wade through mountains of paperwork that could have been streamlined.
For many shop owners, the lack of clear guidance is a significant issue. The information available often focuses on what isn't allowed, rather than providing constructive advice or inspiring examples of what could be done. This negative approach stifles creativity and leaves shop owners feeling unsure about how to proceed with their plans.
By addressing these key issues, we can make the planning process more efficient, supportive, and in tune with the unique charm of each high street. This will not only help shop owners but also breathe new life into local communities.
