The UK’s Secretary for Housing, James Brokenshire, has recently launched a new commission to promote better design and style of new homes.

The ‘Building Better, Building Beautiful’ commission will work to expand on the recently revised National Planning Policy Framework and aims to “champion beauty in the built environment.” [source]

Brokenshire recognises that more new homes are needed, but knows that there is a consensus among many that new homes that are built are often not as good as they could be.

The commission has three aims:

  1. To promote better design and style of homes, villages, towns and high streets. To reflect what communities want and build on the knowledge and tradition of what already works in each area. To ensure new developments meet the needs of communities, making them more likely to be welcomed by people.
  2. To explore how new settlements can be developed with greater community consent.
  3. To make the planning system work in support of better design and style, not against it.

Brokenshire said “part of making the housing market work for everyone is helping to ensure that what we build is built to last. That it respects the integrity of our existing towns, villages and cities. This will become increasingly important as we look to create a number of new settlements across the country and invest in the infrastructure and technology they will need to be thriving and successful places.”

The commission aims to ensure that new builds help to grow a sense of place, not undermine it. They want new build houses to complement and work together with existing housing, rather than work in contrast with it.

Wynngate welcomes the new commission, as our focus has always been on creating great design and aesthetics that truly work for the people who live within and utilise our buildings.