Status of the document

The Sheffield Urban Design Compendium is a Policy Background Document that will inform the new City Plan (a proposed development plan document in the forthcoming Sheffield Development Framework) City Centre Design Guide (a supplementary planning document also proposed to be part of the Sheffield Development Framework). It is an innovative document that informs emerging policy rather than derives from existing policy.

Following extensive consultation, and Sheffield Cabinet endorsement in September 2004, it will be used by the City Council to guide future development in the City Centre. It is intended that the document will:

• Provide helpful guidance to those preparing planning applications;
• Be taken into account as a consideration when determining planning applications;
• Provide the main guiding principles for design of development within the City Centre;
• Provide confidence and a clear vision for private investors in the City;
• Form a background policy document for the new City Plan;
• Form the basis for a new City Centre Design Guide that will become a supplementary planning; document in the forthcoming Sheffield Development Framework;
• Provide a clear strategy for the repair and enhancement of the City's public realm;
• Guide improvements to the public realm brought about through redevelopment of adjacent sites.

Whilst the Compendium has been primarily designed for the City Centre, much of the design guidance is relevant throughout the rest of the city.