The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) has criticised a Persimmon project that is part of deputy prime minister John Prescott’s housing market renewal initiative (HMRI). CABE has called for a complete redesign of the development in Sandwell, west midlands, that is on the site of the old Cape Hill Brewery. The Sandwell and Birmingham scheme is known as Urban Living. CABE’s design review panel said: “We think that the project fails both as urban design and architecture.” It continued: “We think that this scheme needs to be reconsidered from its first principles, if the development of this significant site is to deliver the quality of housing required to meet the government’s housing market renewal objectives.” CABE was particularly critical of the scheme’s layout. “The highways design appears to be predicated on the demands of vehicles rather than pedestrians, and does not create streets and place for people to enjoy,” it said. (Guardian)