Record number of good housing schemes

A record 55 new housing schemes have qualified for a Building for Life standard this year, 50 per cent more than last year and the largest number in the eight years of the award.

The schemes scored more than 14 out or 20 against the Building for Life criteria, the national standard for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods. It is the first time more than half of all entries (96) achieved a standard, suggesting an overall rise in housing quality.

A total of 20 schemes qualified for a gold standard and 35 for a silver standard this year, compared to 12 gold standards and 24 silver standards last year.

The schemes suggest that housebuilders are increasingly seizing the opportunity to play a leading role in creating successful places, as well as the construction of individual homes. The concept of placemaking can be seen across all 55 schemes, regardless of their size or location.

They range from a distinctive scheme in South London with coherent private and public space to family housing at Hulton Square in Salford which provides good access to public transport and makes best use of its location near a park, primary schools and a healthcare centre.

Over half of all the schemes that achieved a Building for Life are in the South West (16) or in London (17). A self build development in Bristol, Ashley Vale, is the first scheme of its kind to achieve a Building for Life standard.

Wayne Hemingway, chair of Building for Life, said: ‘Building for Life has helped developers and planners talk the same language and by working together they’re creating far better places to live.’

Richard Simmons, CABE chief executive, said: ‘This suggests to me we might finally be starting to deliver good quality housing on a regular basis.’

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman at HBF, said: ‘A record number of standards reflects the industry’s commitment and shows recognition that quality is a driver of business.’

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Building for Life standards 2010

Gold

Silver

Notes to Editors

For further information, please contact Dominy Bird at CABE on 020 7070 6772 or email dbird@cabe.org.uk or Steve Turner at the HBF on 020 7960 1606 or email steve.turner@hbf.co.uk Building for Life is an initiative led by CABE and the Home Builders Federation. The Building for Life standard is awarded to housebuilders and housing associations who demonstrate a commitment to high design standards, good place making and sustainable development. Housing schemes achieve the Building for Life standard if they fulfil at least 14 of the 20 criteria for a silver standard and 16 out of 20 for a gold standard. For more details about the judges please visit www.buildingforlife.org/awards/judges The 20 criteria can be found at www.buildingforlife.org/criteria The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal representative body for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for some 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies. www.hbf.co.uk CABE is the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space. As a public body, we encourage policymakers to create places that work for people. We help local planners apply national design policy and offer expert advice to developers and architects. We show public sector clients how to commission buildings that meet the needs of their users. And we seek to inspire the public to demand more from their buildings and spaces. Advising, influencing and inspiring, we work to create well-designed, welcoming places. www.cabe.org.uk