Building for a Healthy Life

The Design Network, of which designe is a member, is the only accredited provider of Building for a Healthy Life assessments. Building for a Healthy Life (BHL) is England’s most widely known and commonly used design tool for creating places that are better for people and nature. It is endorsed in national planning policy (NPPF 2021, Chapter 12, paragraph 133) as an assessment framework to support the delivery of well-designed places.

The Design Network also works with Homes England as the preferred provider of BHL support and assessment for their programme of sites.

Assessments cover 12 criteria that contribute to high quality placemaking. Reports are issued using the traffic light system, with detailed guidance outlining how schemes can be improved and noting what is already positive about a proposed development. All assessments are undertaken and checked by designe panel members.

Schemes that score 9 or more greens (with no reds) qualify for Built for a Healthy Life accreditation, which demonstrates the scheme is of a high quality.

As a Design Network member designe serves the area administered by the 12 Unitary Local Authorities and 2 Combined Authorities in North East England extending from the Scottish Border to North Yorkshire. Our expert team supports local authorities, public sector bodies, councillors, communities and developers to design better and more sustainable places, helping to stimulate economic and good growth. We are accredited to provide all aspects of BHL support including independent design reviews and assessments, design, and site briefs, support and advice, research , audits and training.

We would be pleased to discuss your project(s) with you.

For more information, please contact alan@designeltd.com