ABSTRACT
Stage 0 is new to the RIBA Plan of Work 2013. At this stage a project is strategically appraised and defined before a detailed brief is created. The Core Objectives are to identify the client’s Business Case and Strategic Brief. This may require investigation of a number of sites or alternative options, such as extensions, refurbishment or new buildings. The definition of use classes is given in the Town and Country Planning Order 1987 as currently amended. The local planning authority should be consulted as to its definition of the use class of a particular existing or proposed use. In order to assess the planning implications for each option, the planning context for each site and proposal needs to be understood. The context will include national and local plan policies that form the development plan and that will be relevant to the decision maker if an application is made.
