Is the Cabe audit up to date?
Responding to the final regional findings of CABE’s analysis of the design of new private housing in England, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation (HBF), Stewart Baseley says: ‘The home building industry is committed to increasing design standards, and sees it as a central part of its drive to reach zero-carbon performance standards within a decade. CABE’s Housing Audit, begun over four years ago, does not necessarily reflect the progress that has been made in recent years. ‘Above all, these findings underline the critical importance of developing a concerted and co-ordinated approach to design between all stakeholders in the process, not least local authorities and the Highways Agency. Too often design has been dictated by compromises within the planning process rather than the singular pursuit of excellence. Planning Policy Statement 3, which the HBF has played an important role in influencing, puts design at the centre of future housing growth plans. We now need to use
