Previous News: CABE launches new initiative to promote quality design in Cornwall and Devon

The two-year programme is funded by CABE with local partners, CPR Regeneration and the South West RDA. Mark has established an office base at CPR Regeneration in Camborne, but will also use the RDA's facilities in Plymouth and Exeter. Mark was formerly Director of the Architecture Centre, Bristol and is a registered architect with a career embracing both education and practice. 'This is a very exciting challenge - there's now a great deal of regeneration occurring alongside new development in the South West peninsular. The ambition is to seize each and every opportunity to put design high on the agendas of all those involved; developers, local authorities, communities and the regeneration agencies themselves. There's now a strong alliance across all these sectors that recognises good design, not as an expensive luxury, but as an essential measure that enhances our existing environment, produces beneficial economic outcomes and helps to define our collective identity.'

Drawing on CABE's national expertise and resources and making them more accessible to local projects will be a key role. Mark will also be working closely with Creating Excellence, the region's new Centre for Regeneration that will launch in the Autumn, in tackling some of the barriers to good design that are being identified. 'We all recognise the value of a well-designed place, building or neighbourhood once it exists, there's an undeniable 'feelgood factor' about being in a high quality environment - but to achieve that outcome in new projects there needs to be an excellent design process put in place from day one that underpins the vision.'

Dr Tim Williams, the Chief Executive of CPR Regeneration, commented:'The URC is delighted to be a partner with CABE and the RDA in this initiative. Mark will be co-located with the URC when working on Cornwall projects. This URC has taken a lead on design issues and is the only URC at the moment with its own specialist urban design manager. We will be working closely in support of Mark to promote high quality urban design and architecture in the south-west.'

Ian Piper, Head of Regeneration at South West RDA, added:'The RDA is delighted to be supporting Mark's appointment. It is vital that we remove all the barriers to achieving good design if we are to deliver truly sustainable communities where people want to live and businesses want to invest. The programme will help achieve these important objectives for the region.'

Notes to editors - Mark Pearson can be contacted for further information / interviews: T: 01209 722014; M: 07775 870581; E: cabe@cprregeneration.co.uk - CABE champions the creation of great buildings and public spaces. It is a non-departmental public body set up by the Government in 1999. Through public campaigns and support to professionals, CABE encourages the development of well-designed homes, streets, parks, offices, schools, hospitals and other public buildings - www.cabe.org.uk - CPR Regeneration is Cornwall's Urban Regeneration Company set up to bring prosperity back to Camborne Pool and Redruth. It is one of nineteen urban regeneration companies in the UK. The URC's mission is to re-establish Camborne Pool and Redruth as a place of innovation, quality and wealth that will be the engine of change for Cornwall in the 21st Century.

The URC brings together funding partners, stakeholders and the private sector to focus investment and to deliver "joined up" regeneration projects. English Partnerships, the South West Regional Development Agency, Kerrier District Council, Cornwall County Council and Government Office South West sit on the URC's Board. The URC is bringing forward a £150 million investment plan for the area and has defined 15 key project headings which it aims to deliver in the next three to five years. - South West RDA, The South West of England Regional Development Agency, was created in April 1999 to further the economic development and regeneration of the region; to promote business efficiency, investment and competitiveness; to promote employment; to develop the skills relevant to employment; and to contribute to sustainable development.