<b></b>Housing minister Lord Falconer has hit out at the design of some new homes and questioned whether the industry is doing enough to increase densities through better planning of developments. Speaking at the Britannia National Home Builder Design Awards, he called badly designed housing &amp;“an indelible scar on the face of the community&amp;” and a &amp;“scandalous wasted opportunity&amp;”.<br>&amp;“I accept that some housebuilders are sincere in their desire to improve design and their efforts on the ground show that they&amp;’re making progress,&amp;” he said. &amp;“But I have to ask this question. When we can design housing so well in some places, why can we not do it everywhere?&amp;”<p></p><p>He addressed the HBF view that not enough homes are being built by arguing that housebuilders themselves can help solve the problem. &amp;“If the number of homes being built by the private sector is in your view too low, are you really taking every possible step to increase production of new homes by maximising density through improved design?&amp;” he asked.</p><p>Lord Falconer went on to say that he recognised the industry&amp;’s concern over local authorities. </p><p> &amp;“Let me make clear,&amp;” he said. &amp;“This government expects local authorities to deliver on planning for housing.&amp;” </p><p></p>