Guides for designing new buildings in residential neighbourhoods

Motivated by public concern about higher density housing, large buildings such as care homes and the loss of amenity in residential neighbourhoods, the Council’s Environmental Policy and Planning Unit is producing a series of design guides.

Although the guides are mainly for developers and designers, they are available to anyone (free of charge). “We’re trying to encourage developers to do things in a better way,” says senior planner and urban designer Janet Reeves. “Well-designed housing developments are not only more acceptable to neighbours, they are easier for developers to sell.”

The first two guides called Large Buildings in Lower Density Living Zones and New Housing in Living 3 Zones are available now.

The latest, New Housing in Living 3 Zones, deals with new housing in medium density residential areas. It promotes good design features such as houses facing streets, garages being less prominent, respecting neighbours’ private space and maximising the amount of greenery.

Janet Reeves
Phone 941 8351