Mark Whitehead 10 July 2019

Say ‘no to ugliness’, commission tells planners

Councils should 'say no to ugliness' in their planning decisions, according to a report commissioned by the Government.

The Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission says town halls should encourage the redevelopment of retail parks and large supermarkets into communities that include homes, shops and businesses.

New mixed-use communities should be supported by public transport to reduce reliance on cars as part of plans to revisit ‘boxland’ developments.

The commission’s interim report, ‘Creating space for beauty’, calls for communities to be given an earlier say in the development process.

Interim chairman of the commission Nicholas Boys Smith said: 'Redeveloping abandoned out-of-town retail parks and ugly old supermarkets would deliver something much more beautiful in the form of thriving new communities where people can raise a family, work or settle down.

'Our initial report sets many ways we can make our country more beautiful while fulfilling the needs of future generations who will need a roof over their head.'

Responding to the report, communities secretary James Brokenshire said: 'We owe it to the next generation to not just build more homes, but to build communities people can be proud of.

'As a country, we should not shy away from talking about what building beautifully means – and this report is an important contribution to that discussion.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Adult Social Worker Mental Health

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Mental Health Social Worker
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Director of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer)

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
up to salary max £121,445 per annum
We are now seeking a Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer to play a pivotal role Hybrid / Kingston Upon Thames
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

West Northamptonshire Council
£49,587 - £52,860
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team at West Northamptonshire Council. This is a senior role leading on the assessment, negotiation, and delivery of highway works linked t Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Highway Operations

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 15 £63,002 - £69,103 per annum
As we begin to implement our new structure, we have an exciting leadership opportunity as the head of our new operations service. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Trainee Roadworker Driver

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 5 £25,185 - £25,583 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking all aspects of highways maintenance and improvement works Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner