Belfast·SPG007 Masterplanning Approach for Major Development·Page 10·3.1.4
Masterplan as a dynamic document with flexibility
Masterplans should be treated as flexible documents that incorporate design statements or design codes without being overly rigid or prescriptive. The approach should establish site context and aspirations while allowing adaptation through phased development.
It is important that when adopting a masterplanning approach for major developments that the applicant considers the masterplan as a dynamic document that incorporates a degree of flexibility and does not set rigid or overly prescriptive design criteria for the future development and design of the proposal. The scope of design criteria can range from a 'Design Statement' which outlines broad design parameters that should be applied across the site, to a more prescriptive 'Design Code' that sets out rules or code for individual plots within the scheme (see paragraphs 3.1.10 – 3.1.16). In either case, the aim is to establish the context and aspirations for the site that can be adapted over time through a phased approached with a degree of flexibility. Clearly identifiable phases within a scheme can help accommodate changing project conditions, demands and expectations. It is important that the initial vision is not lost or diluted through subsequent design iterations.
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