In 2020 we led the engagement for a West of England Placemaking Charter. On behalf of Design West we worked with WECA and the four West of England Unitary Authorities to develop a Placemaking Charter. This will set out a shared ambition for the quality of development in the West of England and will communicate the authorities’ priorities and expectations to support clean, inclusive growth, responding to the climate emergency.

The engagement process brought in considered contributions from over 250 placemaking stakeholders through ten interactive workshops and two online questionnaires. This developed and tested the thematic structure of The Charter and identified recommendations for its role and practical application. Stakeholders included those from the built and natural environment sector, public and private sector developers, culture and health experts, local interest groups, communities and young people.

The aim is that outcomes from the engagement on the Placemaking Charter will also feed in to the SDS and Local Plans, ensuring alignment and clarity in the articulation of the region’s ambition for quality places, and enabling the vision and principles from the Charter to support the development of the region’s planning policy framework.