Examination of Witnesses (Questions 200-203)
PROFESSOR PETER
ROBERTS OBE, DR
GILL TAYLOR
AND MR
KEVIN MURRAY
19 MAY 2008
Q200 Andrew George: Do you find that
you will need, or do you feel that you will need, to bring in
the skills of other professions, such as the kind of engineers
that are required to actually assess the veracity of the claims?
Professor Roberts: Absolutely,
and that is the real power of operating on an interdisciplinary,
interprofessional base, focusing on those generic skills. Although
we have not discussed this with Sir John Egan, Sir John Egan produced
a portfolio of generic skills which he felt that all professionals
and others involved in creating and maintaining sustainable communities
should have. We think the ability for non-professionals to recognise
and, if you like, mitigate the carbon consequences of development
choices should be added to that portfolio. We think that is so
important.
Q201 Chair: Thank you very much indeed.
I noticed from the remarks you just made at the end there, you
may be aware the Environmental Audit Select Committee is doing
an inquiry on Eco-towns. Have you submitted written evidence to
them?
Professor Roberts: No, we have
not.
Q202 Chair: I suggest you might want
to.
Professor Roberts: Chair, can
I just simply say, Kevin Murray reminded me of a point that was
made when the Egan review was taking evidence: the whole purpose
of ASC was not to be just another brick, but to be the mortar
that connects the bricks together, and that is what we have tried
to be, Chair. We are very conscious of the need to deal with planning
and planners' issues, but we are not solely concerned with that.
Thank you very much. Please let us know if you need any further
material or evidence. If you would like to visit the Academy in
Leeds, you are most welcome.
Q203 Chair: Thank you. And you will
provide the extra data?
Professor Roberts: We will indeed,
thank you.
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