A taskforce spokesman added: "Producing additional financial resources to implement some of the taskforce measures is under consideration." The comments were made at the launch of the taskforce's interim report on how to provide space for 4.4 million homes by 2016, which has now been sent to deputy prime minister John Prescott.
Lord Rogers denied speculation that he is planning to recommend the abolition of Mortgage Interest Relief At Source for buyers of homes on greenfield sites. "We have no conclusions or recommendations yet. Press stories are supposition." Lord Rogers said: "All professionals must develop a greater understanding of urban responsibility.
"Urban development must be seen as critical to architects, engineers and planners. There must be an improvement in skills in this area." The taskforce spokesman said that it is recommending the creation of regional centres to run courses that would allow architects, surveyors and planners to learn more about other disciplines in urban design and planning.
The spokesman said that the courses could offer specialised MBAs in urban development and allow architects and planners to learn alongside each other.
The final report is due to be published this summer.
