Barnet Council has initiated a transformative approach by engaging external experts for overseeing planning applications.
- Russell Curtis, a seasoned architect, leads the panel focused on raising design standards in Barnet.
- The panel comprises 26 independent specialists aiming to ensure sustainable and community-friendly development.
- Barnet’s initiative marks a shift from traditional council officer-led planning evaluation to expert-led assessments.
- This strategic move seeks to integrate high-quality development seamlessly within existing townscapes while achieving ambitious environmental goals.
Barnet Council has embarked on a pioneering initiative by appointing a panel of external experts to oversee planning applications in the borough. This move marks a significant departure from the traditional reliance on council planning officers, indicating a forward-thinking approach towards urban development.
The panel is chaired by Russell Curtis, a distinguished local architect and the founder-director of RCKa. Curtis, along with vice-chair Selina Mason, who is the director of masterplanning and strategic design at Lendlease, will collaborate with 26 other independent experts from the planning and design sectors. Their collective task is to ensure that new developments in Barnet adhere to high standards of design and sustainability.
This initiative reflects a strategic outsourcing of planning assessments to renowned design professionals. By involving experts at the early stages of the planning process, Barnet Council aims to foster an environment where design issues can be effectively addressed, promoting developments that are in harmony with the borough’s character and environmental aspirations.
Cllr Ross Houston, the deputy council leader and cabinet member for homes & regeneration, underscored the council’s commitment to “high-quality development that complements the existing townscapes of our borough”. The goal is not only to construct homes but to build cohesive communities that integrate well with their surroundings, thereby enhancing Barnet’s landscape.
The formation of this expert panel is expected to bring about a significant shift in how planning applications are evaluated in Barnet, with an emphasis on sustainability and community integration. Such measures could serve as a benchmark for other councils seeking to enhance the quality and environmental standards of urban development.
Barnet Council’s innovative approach could redefine planning evaluations, setting a new standard across the borough and beyond.
