David Birkbeck

David Birkbeck helped set up Design for Homes as a social enterprise.  He wrote Building for Life in 2002 and co-wrote a revised edition in 2012, endorsed by the National Planning Policy Framework and by Homes England which uses it to their principle design test to screen all bids for land or grant. A new version of this was launched in July, updated to reflect the Putting Health into Place principles published by NHS England focussing on active travel and greater use of the public realm for exercise and leisure.  David contributed to the 2009 HAPPI report which showed how homes designed for seniors can be at least as appealing as general needs homes.