Speaking at last week's CIPR conference, the founder of high-street chain Red or Dead slammed local housing policy and advised PROs not to promote ‘shite' housing developments. ‘Do not do the PR for poorly designed developments that resemble prisons more than places where families, their children, and all generations can thrive, ' he said.
He also advised council PROs to undertake unorthodox tactics to gain local media coverage - for instance, rewording ‘Do not walk on the grass' signs to ‘Please walk on the grass'. He added: ‘The local media will see you can have a sense of humour while making a serious point.
‘Sustainable housing will thrive. You won't have to worry about knocking it down in 30 years.'
The Government's Sustainable Communities programme promotes well-designed housing's role in helping to curb anti-social behaviour.