The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (Thursday 25 October) published a new set of recommendations ahead of the final publication of Sir Oliver Letwin MP’s Independent Review of Build Out.
The final Review, which is expected to be published next week, will look at the cause of the gap between housing completions and the amount of land allocated or granted planning permission in areas of high housing demand.
The RIBA’s report identifies the necessary political conditions for building more high-quality housing. It makes recommendations for how quality and supply can be increased through better placemaking, with a greater diversity of tenures and types of homes alongside improved planning, delivery and maintenance.
The report sets out ten characteristics of housing developments where people want to live, illustrated with valuable case study evidence demonstrating the relationship between design quality and the rate of supply in the delivery of much needed, well-built affordable homes.
RIBA President Ben Derbyshire said:
“The first stages of Sir Oliver Letwin’s Review provided a refreshing re-examination of the housing market and I look forward to seeing the conclusions.
Unlocking housing supply through improved design quality is essential to ensure we build places that will last, and where people want to live. I hope the RIBA’s recommendations will inform the Letwin Review and reinforce its impact.
With the lifting of the housing borrowing cap, the onus is now on local authorities and their partners to rise to the challenge and ensure that the next generation of housing developments raises the bar when it comes to quality and sustainability.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. Download the full report here.
2. For further information contact Abigail.Chiswell-White@riba.org 020 7307 3811
3. The Royal Institute of British Architects champions better buildings and places, stronger communities and higher environmental standards through the practice of architecture and our 40,000 members. We provide the standards, training, support and recognition that puts our members – in the UK and overseas – at the peak of their profession. With government and our partners, we work to improve the design quality of public buildings, new homes and communities. www.architecture.com. Follow us on Twitter for regular RIBA updates www.twitter.com/RIBA
