A Community Right to Beauty

ResPublica is launching its latest report: A Community Right to Beauty: Giving communities the power to shape, enhance and create beautiful places, buildings and spaces. Arguing for the restoration and democratisation beauty in public policy, this seminal publication recommends the extension of community influence in the planning process to ensure beautiful localities are accessible to all.

Based on findings from a public poll conducted by leading pollsters Ipsos Mori, the report explores the public’s attitudes towards beauty and perceived local access to beautiful spaces.

Beauty plays a central role in enabling people and communities to flourish. Our report highlights the health, economic, social and civic benefits of living near beautiful surroundings, and reasserts the importance of its intrinsic value.

Our report argues for a ‘community right to beauty’ to be introduced via primary legislation, the details of which will be revealed in the report. The policy recommendations set out a range of new powers and incentives to support the democratic discernment of what makes a neighbourhood beautiful, and communities’ ability to independently create, shape and improve their locale.

After opening remarks by ResPublica’s Head of Policy Programmes, Caroline Julian, the event will feature a panel discussion, with the following confirmed speakers:

• Rt Hon Nick Herbert MP, former Conservative Minister
• Loyd Grossman, Chairman of the Heritage Alliance
• Dame Fiona Reynolds, former Chair of the National Trust.
• Sir Terry Farrell, Chair of the Farrell Review of Architecture and the Built Environment
• Phillip Blond, Director, ResPublica

Joining us will be a diverse range of senior representatives from across national and local government, civil society, the media and leading charities and businesses.. Spaces will be strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Please register for your place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.