Philosopher to chair Government commission for beautiful homes

The Government has unveiled plans to set up an official commission to raise the debate about importance of beauty in new housing development.

It will be chaired by conservative political philosopher Sir Roger Scruton, who will shortly name other supporting members.

The ‘Building Better, Building Beautiful’ Commission will develop a vision and practical measures to help ensure new developments meet the needs and expectations of communities, making them more likely to be welcomed rather than resisted.

This move follows the government recently rewriting the planning rulebook to strengthen expectations for design quality and community engagement when planning for development.

The new rules also ensure more consideration can be given to the character of the local area.

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire, said: “Most people agree we need to build more for future generations, but too many still feel that new homes in their local area just aren’t up to scratch.

“This commission will kick start a debate about the importance of design and style, helping develop practical ways of ensuring new developments gain the consent of communities, helping grow a sense of place, not undermine it. This will help deliver desperately needed homes – ultimately building better and beautiful will help us build more.”

Commission’s three chief aims

1. Promote better design and style of homes, villages, towns and high streets, to reflect what communities want, building on the knowledge and tradition of what they know works for their area.
2. Explore how new settlements can be developed with greater community consent.
3. Make the planning system work in support of better design and style, not against it.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2018/11/05/philosopher-to-chair-government-commission-for-beautiful-homes/

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