Urban design

Good design helps make better places and improves our quality of life. Find out how we work to maintain and raise the standard of design in our new buildings and public spaces.

The Waltham Forest Design Review Panel has been created with Frame Projects and provides expert, independent design advice for development proposals. 

The Waltham Forest Design Review Panel has been set up to work closely with the dynamic Place and Design team to deliver an exemplary design that is closely aligned with the council’s borough missions including: 

• building an economy that works for everyone
• making Waltham Forest a great place to live and age well
• leading the way for a net zero borough
• creating safer, green neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive
• tackling the housing crisis head-on
• and ensuring every family and every child is given every opportunity.

Independent, objective, expert advice

The Design Review Panel provides independent, objective, expert advice on development proposals across Waltham Forest. It provides advice to scheme promoters and the planning authority as a ‘critical friend’ to support the delivery of high-quality development.

The Panel is chaired by Melissa Dowler, Director at Bell Phillips Architects.

Each panel review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of a design, and how it can be improved. 

Design reviews are subject to the following charges:

• Formal review: £6,250 + VAT
• Chair’s review: £3,425 + VAT 

Email the Place and Design team: placeanddesignteam@walthamforest.gov.uk or read the Waltham Forest Design Review Panel Terms of Reference (PDF) to find out more.  

We adopted Waltham Forest’s Design Charter for Schools in July 2018 following a four-week consultation. 

It sets out our commitment to achieving high-quality design in our schools, with 10 key principles that can be applied to all schools. 

Waltham Forest Design Charter for Schools (PDF)

The Waltham Forest Design Charter sets out how we will achieve high quality design in all new housing developments. We developed it to support the high levels of local housing growth expected over the next few years.

The 10 key urban design principles of the charter are:

1. High quality buildings - Encourage distinctive and innovative architecture using quality materials built to high standards.
2. Responding to context - Ensure developments integrate with their surroundings and local heritage. These should link with adjacent streets and paths to create direct and convenient routes to local services like shops, schools, and public transport.
3. A mix of homes - Work with developers and partners to provide a mix of housing types and sizes accessible to all. These should meet the needs of residents both now and in future.
4. Good quality internal layouts - Ensure new homes have high quality spacious and adaptable rooms and living areas which meet current planning policy standards.
5. Safe and overlooked streets - Promote housing layouts with windows and doors facing onto streets and public space, so they are overlooked and feel safe.
6. Quality gardens and private spaces - Ensure private and shared gardens are well-designed, safe, and usable, with good quality landscaping and planting.
7. Energy efficient - Meet the challenges of climate change by promoting better energy sources in new developments.
8. Well-designed parking - Design for car, cycle parking and servicing early on so it is safe, convenient, and attractive. It should never be an afterthought.
9. People-friendly streets - Ensure high standards in design and quality of streets and other public areas. This will encourage their use as social places, where pedestrians and cyclists come first.
10. Well maintained and managed - Promote high standards of housing management and maintenance to ensure long term quality for residents.

Waltham Forest Design Charter for Homes (PDF)

• Urban Design SPD (PDF)
• Shop Front SPD (PDF)
• Converting shops to homes (PDF)