Planning permission is not the end of the design process. Design input will still be required to ensure that the intentions presented in the planning application are translated through the detailed specification and construction process. It is accepted practice for development proposals to go through a further stage of design iteration after planning approval. Planning authorities typically allow some flexibility on the permitted design. The design of a development should not change significantly during the construction phase and it is important that the approved design is not diluted.

This chapter outlines where design input may still be required when the project progresses beyond a successful planning application. It examines issues that may arise during evaluation of tenders and during construction itself.