Written question asked by Anne Main (Conservative) on Monday, 13 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 February 2006. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Sustainable Communities

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer to Q53 in evidence to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and Regions Committee of 7 February 2006, what the evidential basis was for his statement (a) that architects, planners and local authorities do not talk to the Highways Agency and (b) that none of the professional bodies assesses issues in the context of sustainability.

Answer: There is a body of research, carried out over the past few years, that has highlighted how the lack of communication and partnerships between the stakeholders involved in the delivery of sustainable communities can result in poor urban environments. Key conclusions have emphasised that each party often sees their role in isolation rather than contributing to the delivery of sustainable communities. Examples of research, both directly commissioned by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and that from independent bodies, include Paving the way (ODPM and Cabe) 2002; ““Better Streets, Better Places”” (ODPM and DfT) 2003; and ““Egan Review of Skills”” (ODPM) 2004.The Government, through the new Academy for Sustainable Communities, aims to address this weakness by working with key stakeholders, including professional bodies, to improve the processes and skill base ensuring that all parties are working together to support the development of sustainable communities.In addition ODPM are also asking our delivery agencies and partners to ensure that they bring together these different disciplines so that for example the Highways Agency is represented on or has close links to the Growth areas local delivery bodies.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 443 c201W;443 c201W; 52269
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Community development Construction Housing Infrastructure Sustainable development
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk