John Alker, director of policy and places at UKGBC said:

“The Raynsford Review delivers a bold vision for the future of planning, which puts sustainable development at the heart of the system. We fully support the recommendation for a comprehensive definition of sustainable development to become a legal duty.

“The Review rightly highlights the need to tackle housing standards and poor quality design. The proposed Building Code could offer much-needed clarity, if the future trajectory of standards – such as net zero carbon – were set out in advance. However, minimum standards at a national level shouldn’t preclude local authorities and cities from going further, faster – providing there is consistency in the metrics used.

“We agree with the Review that high quality development brings value to communities and society at large, but this is currently not well understood or quantified. The use of Social Value measurement is an important tool for both local government and industry, which can help drive better outcomes for people. There is an opportunity to build on the Review’s recommendations through the better integration of Social Value measurement into planning requirements.”

-ENDS-

The Raynsford Review of Planning in England is available from the TCPA here.

Read UKGBC’s Social Value in New Development report.

Related