For more than a decade, Peter Maxwell has been at the helm of design at the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), leading the design team that is shaping the transformation of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park into a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community.

During Peter’s time as Design Director, LLDC has delivered 1,102 homes since 2015, six educational, workplace, and cultural buildings, and three retrofit projects. It has led 17 connectivity projects, including bridges, stations, and walking/cycling routes, and advanced plans for over 4,400 homes through eight detailed planning applications and three approved masterplans. As Peter prepares to step down, he and his team are proud to launch a set of policies that will guide the future of development here in east London but has wider relevance across the UK.

On March 27, 2025, LLDC unveiled its Design Quality Policy (2025), updated Inclusive Design Standards (2025), and a Quality Review Panel (QRP) Appraisal all aimed at enhancing the way developments are planned, designed, and assessed.

As the UK government works to meet its ambitious target of delivering 1.5 million new homes, these updated policies and resources also represent a significant step in LLDC’s commitment to not just meeting targets but also ensuring it creates high-quality, inclusive housing that sets a precedent for public sector-led developments.

The Design Quality Policy (2025)

LLDC’s Design Quality Policy outlines a framework to ensure excellence in new developments while fostering inclusion, sustainability, and climate resilience.

Key highlights include:

• Design quality management: Setting clear expectations at every stage of the development cycle, from concept to occupation
• Diverse design teams: Encouraging emerging and established multidisciplinary teams, LLDC has appointed over 20 multi-disciplinary teams since 2019 and supported over 20 emerging practices since 2012
• Larger space standards: Promoting adaptable homes that support long-term flexibility for residents
• Annual reporting metrics: Ensuring accountability through systematic design quality assessments.

Inclusive Design Standards (2025)

The updated Inclusive Design Standards, shaped by direct insights from the independent Built Environment Access Panel (BEAP), aim to set a benchmark for best practice in inclusive urban environments across the UK.

Key features include:

• People-centred design: Addressing diversity and difference at every stage of the process
• Sensory and neuro-inclusive environments: Considering how spaces impact different sensory experiences.
• Gender-inclusive planning: Improving safety perceptions for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals.
• Guidance on new housing types: Adapting to the rise of diverse housing types such as student accommodation and co-living

Quality Review Panel Appraisal (2025)

As one of the UK’s longest-running design review panels, the Quality Review Panel (QRP) has played a pivotal role in shaping LLDC’s developments. With 190 schemes reviewed over 12 years, the panel has influenced major developments, including Here East, Fish Island Village, Stratford Waterfront, Marshgate Lane, and Jubilee House. It provides lessons for other local authorities and public bodies that may be planning areas of urban change and demonstrates how an independent panel can assist in the delivery of quality projects.

Reflecting on his tenure, Peter Maxwell said: “We hope that these policies and the research will set a new benchmark for impactful development. Despite challenging market conditions, our efforts have consistently driven the delivery of high-quality neighbourhoods, buildings, landscape and public realm here. By working in close partnership with our developers, design teams, and operators, we’ve been able to make a lasting difference for east London.”

Later this year LLDC will also be launching a Post Occupancy Evaluation (2025) report that analyses resident satisfaction and performance data of its two completed legacy neighbourhoods at Chobham Manor and East Wick.

There are further details on the new policies here.