Placemaking and design

For each of the five principles, we are developing detailed design and delivery proof points enabling us to more easily assess whether every scheme is meeting our standards. A year-long programme of training and upskilling for our teams will be rolled out in 2025. 

The Charter reflects best practice such as Building for a Healthy Life and is aligned with the National Design Guide and National Model Design Code. It is supported by detailed guidance such as our Approach to Placemaking and Guide to Green Infrastructure.  

Roles and responsibilities 

Our Director of Design and Group Urban Designer work with our teams on placemaking. Both have qualifications in architecture and urban design. They review the design of every new scheme at least once and provide feedback on any improvements needed. Going forward, schemes will be reviewed and scored against our Placemaking Charter.
We have a Design Lead in each regional business and strategic land team to champion good design at the regional level.

Embedding our approach  

External partnerships

We work with many organisations on placemaking to share our views and learn from the expertise of others. In 2024, organisations we engaged with included the Academy of Urbanism, BOB-MK (a design network for Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes), Design for Homes, Home Builders Federation, Homes England, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Royal Institute of British Architects, Royal Town Planning Institute and the Urban Design Group. Our Design Director chairs the Place and Nature workstream for the Future Homes Hub.