Building Better, Building Beautiful report launched

Well-designed, high quality homes and tree-lined streets should be the “norm – not the exception”, housing secretary Robert Jenrick will say today at the launch of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission’s final report.

Jenrick will also call for zero carbon homes to be built as standard within five years and will promise to ensure that local authorities have the right skills and leadership to play a key role in the “design revolution”.

The Living in Beauty report has been produced by the Commission which is tasked with promoting the delivery of high quality design for new build homes and communities. It contains more than 130 recommendations to support the creation of more beautiful communities, including:

• planting millions of trees over the next five years, as well as opening old canals and supporting every home to have its own or access to a fruit tree
• speeding up the planning process for “beautiful” buildings through a new “fast track for beauty” rule for councils
• involving communities in local plans and planning applications, including using digital technology such as virtual reality and 3D modelling to help locals shape their own areas

Welcoming the report Jenrick will say:

“Today’s report is important for …