Design Council Cabe unveils new offer to private sector and London boroughs as part of shift to self-funding consultancy

Design Council Cabe has formally launched its London Design Review panel business at Mipim.

The move, which is in line with recommendations in the Bishop Review, will see the panel offer design reviews to London boroughs and planning applicants as part of its shift to a self-funding consultancy.

Ongoing services will also be part of the offer, in addition to one-off reviews.

The full list of architects on the panel is:

  • Ken Shuttleworth - Make
  • Jim Eyre - Wilkinson Eyre
  • Keith Bradley - Fielden Clegg Bradley
  • Hanif Kara - AKTII
  • Robin Nicholson - Cullinans
  • Ian Sharratt - Pringle Brandon
  • Allison Brooks - Allison Brooks Architects
  • Michael Coombes (Alan Baxter Ass)
  • Alan Liebowitz - Dorrington plc
  • David West - Studio Egret West

Paul Finch, deputy chair of the Design Council, said: “We will be doing more contract work - which is something that is not new to us.

“For those that ask, ‘Why would we pay Design Council Cabe to potentially criticise us?’ I’d say, first of all, that you’ll be getting high quality dispassionate advice from a critical friend - we’re not an enemy.

“And secondly, if you’re a good quality developer or planning authority, you should buy our services because you’re worth it.”

Building’s sister title BD has reported that the new panel will initially target those London boroughs “less experienced” with design review, with councils offered packages including a per-hour fee or the option of bulk buying a number of reviews each year.

The London panel completes the network of Design Review panels, ensuring the availability of Design Review services to all local authorities across England. 

Design Council Cabe said that since April last year it had has carried out 182 reviews in the Greater London area, including dedicated Design Review panels for major projects across the capital such as Crossrail, Thames Tideway Tunnel and the London 2012 Olympics. 

Finch said the Cannes event had was an ideal startpoint for the review panel.

“I am delighted we’ve been able to launch our new services and ideas at Mipim, where the world of design meets the world of planning and development,” he said.

“The people here represent our current and future clients and customers.”

Design Council Cabe is recruiting a network of Built Environment Experts, from which the London Design Review panel will be drawn. The deadline for applicants is March 30.

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