Proponents of major developments across Sydney and NSW will, for the next year at least, have to grapple with an independent panel of experienced designers while working on plans for large apartment projects, marinas, hospitals or schools.

The state government has launched a 12-month pilot program requiring new state significant developments to use a review panel selected from a pool of 40 designers and architects, themselves chosen with the Government Architect’s Office.

Housing Minister Anthony Roberts. Credit:Jonathan Ng

"NSW has a strong tradition of architecture and design, but as our towns and cities grow, the NSW community expects us to deliver an improved urban amenity and built environment," the Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts, said on Wednesday, launching the pilot with Government Architect Peter Poulet.

The idea of the panels is to incorporate the views of designers early on in the development of projects, rather than having them make submissions on a project once development approvals are being sought.