Guidance on tall buildings update

English Heritage and CABE have produced a revised and updated version of their joint Guidance on tall buildings. Following a period of consultation, the final version was endorsed by Government on 26 July 2007. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Mr. Iain Wright) said:

“In conjunction with my colleague the Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, I would like to bring to the attention of the House the guidance note on tall buildings prepared jointly by English Heritage and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), which is published today. This updates and supersedes previous guidance published in 2003 and reflects changes to the planning system since that time.

The Government's aim is to ensure local planning authorities are getting the right developments in the right places, which we consider to be a fundamental part of creating places where people will want to live and work, now and in the future. Recent reforms to the planning system have helped to reinforce this message, making clear that all new development should be of good quality and designed in full appreciation of its surroundings and context. Tall buildings, in the right places and appropriately designed, can make positive contributions to our cities.

The Government therefore welcome this updated guidance, which will assist local planning authorities when evaluating planning applications for tall buildings, including, importantly, the need for effective engagement with local communities. It also places a greater emphasis on the contribution that design can make to improving the character and quality of an area. It offers good practice guidance to a range of stakeholders in relation to tall buildings in the planning process, provides practical advice on achieving well-designed solutions in the right places, and is capable of being material to the determination of planning applications. Copies of the documents are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.”

The 2003 Guidance on Tall Buildings proved to be a robust document valued by planners, developers and architects. During 2006, CABE and English Heritage consulted their commissions advisory committees/review panels, users of this document and others involved in planning, design and the historic environment, as well as Government, before the updated text was produced.

Guidance on tall buildings (2007)

Guidance on Tall Buildings sets out how CABE and English Heritage evaluate proposals for tall buildings. It also offers advice on good practice in relation to tall buildings in the planning process. Both organisations recommend that local planning authorities use it to inform policy making and, if necessary, to evaluate planning applications for tall buildings where the appropriate policies are not yet in place. The government endorses this guidance which is capable of being a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

The document is available to download as a PDF or in hardcopy from English Heritage Customer Services.