Deputy prime minister John Prescott has announced the government’s plans to begin trials of “design codes” aimed at speeding up the delivery of new homes. The first wave of six pilot projects will test the codes, which comprise a set of rules on the quality of a development’s design, created through collaborative workshops with local communities. “Too often in the past, identikit homes have been built without any thought for how they fit into the local community,” said Prescott. “But new homes and building must be sympathetic to local environments. “I’m excited to see how these pilot projects develop and what benefits they can have. I’m also keen on seeing how the workshops in which the code is drawn up can involve the local community.” The pilots will be working with CABE and English Partnerships with the aim of ensuring high quality finishes. They will take place in – in Aldershot, Ashford, Cirencester, Hastings, Newcastle and Rotherham More.