A report promoting better design to raise the quality of Scotland's future built environment has been unveiled.

Culture Minister, Linda Fabiani launched the report, 'Design At The Heart Of House Building', as an excellent starting point for architects, developers and local authorities to work together to deliver higher quality, design-led, sustainable housing and communities - a key ambition of the Scottish Government.

She said: "The Scottish Government sees the creation of better-designed, sustainable communities as one of its key ambitions and the private house-building industry has an important role to play in achieving that goal.

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"This research study provides a step forward in our understanding of the house-building industry - in terms of its approach to design, the complexities of the issues it faces and where external advice and support might be beneficial to achieving our joint ambitions.

"The report provides an excellent starting point for all interested parties to work together to better understand how we can deliver higher quality, design-led, sustainable housing.''

Ms Fabiani stressed how the government is striving to be more 'user friendly' to developers and others involved in the building process, citing the move to bring architecture policy, building standards and planning together in a new Directorate for the Built Environment.

The report's conclusions and recommendations show how there needs to be a wider understanding of the process of private sector housing development, noting how design quality has become a more important component in the development process.

It also highlights the increased importance of using well-qualified designers who understand the development process, while urging local authorities, landowners, developers and other interested parties to be more proactive in ensuring design quality is high on the agenda in each considered development.

(GK/JM)