Cabe is considering setting up a dedicated regional design review panel for London

The design watchdog has had discussions with the Greater London Authority, the Homes and Community Agency and the London Development Agency about how the regional panel might work.

Only three of the England鈥檚 nine regions have not yet set up design review panels 鈥� London, Yorkshire & Humber and the North-east, although the latter is in the process of appointing members.

The news came as the government concluded a 鈥渓ight touch鈥� review of Cabe which recommended a closer working relationship with regional and local partners.

A national review panel will still examine significant planning applications in the capital. The dedicated regional panel will review smaller housing, commercial and masterplanning schemes in London.

Richard Simmons, chief executive of Cabe, confirmed the body was pressing ahead with plans to expand the role of design review, enabling Cabe to examine more schemes.

It has been working with the RIBA, the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Landscape Institute to update their guidelines to regional panels so that up to 20,000 applications a year can receive guidance from Cabe.