Government urges local authorities and developers to push for high quality design

Lords Planning Minister, Baroness Kay Andrews has called on local authorities and developers to make sure all new developments are of high quality design.

The challenge came as new guidance was published on planning reforms which state that the majority of planning application must now be accompanied by design and access statements.

Andrews said: "We have reformed the planning system to ensure that good design is an integral part of any new development coming forward. The challenge now is for local authorities and developers to take these new approaches on board, and to make sure that bad design is a thing of the past."

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment has simultaneously released a good practice guide on how the statements will work giving practical advice for developers and local authorities on what will need to be included and how the statements should be interpreted.