Apply for a Design Review before you make a submission for a major scheme in Bristol.
We want all new buildings and developments in Bristol to be top quality, and we're working hard to improve the overall design standards across the city.
As well our pre-application advice service, we also recommend using the design review process early on. If your project goes through a design review, we’ll take the panel’s feedback into account when making planning decisions.
The review is by Design West's Design Review Panel who offer independent and impartial guidance and feedback on how proposals for development could be improved.
Panel members
The Bristol Design Review Panel pool of experts has expertise in:
- urban design
- architecture
- heritage
- structural engineering
- landscape architecture
- transport
- highways
- sustainability
- ecology
- hydrology
Membership is refreshed periodically, and new members are recruited through online advertisements.
Thresholds that would trigger Design Review
- Strategic sites, Sustainable Urban Extension and reserved matters parcels.
- Landmark buildings and projects that introduce novel design/architectural approaches.
- Schemes which impact on sensitive views or areas.
- Schemes which impact on the historic environment.
- Schemes that are likely to establish a precedent for future development.
- LPA schemes.
- Policy documents.
- Housing schemes from 10 units upwards.
Apply for a review
You can apply for a Design Review on the Design West website.
Types of review and the review process
Depending on the scale and complexity of each case, alternative review formats and durations can be offered.
- Small, £2,500 plus VAT. The standard design review service is appropriate for returning schemes, individual buildings, and infill developments. Suitable for developments of less than 20 dwellings.
- Standard, £3,950 plus VAT. The half day review is appropriate for developments requiring a site visit for example, infill, mixed use, regeneration, town centre, policy reviews. Suitable for 20 to 200 dwellings.
- Major, £4,950 plus VAT. The full day service is appropriate for developments requiring a site visit. Suitable for 200 plus dwellings, or developments requiring new infrastructure, regeneration, Garden Village, SUE, new campus, transport hub. Workshop options can ensure stakeholder collaboration on significant schemes.
- Building for a Healthy life, £1,500 to 2,500 plus VAT. The BHL Assessment service provides an independent performance review of development proposals against the 12 design considerations. The BHL assessment is led by Panel assessors as a desktop-based assessment following a site visit.
Contributions towards travel, room booking and refreshments may apply to all types of review.
For detailed information, please see Design West's client guidance notes Go to https://www.designreviewwest.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Client-Guidance-Notes-Aug-2025-compressed.pdf (opens new window).
Design Reviews and the National Planning Policy Framework
The National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 138 requires that local planning authorities should have local design review arrangements in place to provide assessment and support to ensure high standards of design.
You can contact the Design West Review team at review@designwest.org.uk.