To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what weight is given to design quality in the built environment in delivering regeneration objectives in the Thames Gateway; and what definition she uses of an acceptable level of design. (94111)

Good design is a prerequisite for creating sustainable, cohesive communities and is therefore central to delivering regeneration objectives in the Thames Gateway.

My Department is working closely with others in the Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership to secure improved design quality. We will be setting out our expectations for high quality design in the Thames Gateway, along with a package of measures to support good design in our Interim Strategic Framework, which will be published on 22 November 2006.