Bob Millar informed delegates that he does not believe the Construction Industry delivers the housing that private homeowners and social tenants want. This is because the industry largely ignores the physical environment and the support services that are essential for creating successful places to live.

He did not solely blame the construction industry and admitted that successful neighbourhoods cannot be provided without the involvement of central and local government. He urged the industry, local government and RSLs to work together at an early stage of the planning and development process when they are building new housing.

He also argued that the Scottish Government has a key role to play in ensuring that Firm Foundations is followed by action. He insisted that without a delivery plan, Firm Foundations would simply remain an “interesting read” which would result in the construction industry continuing to deliver neighbourhoods that are at best “reasonably successful”

Andrew Pinkerton countered that the construction industry has been improving the way it delivers housing since the Egan Report, Rethinking Construction, was published in the 1990s.

He told the audience how the Scottish Construction Forum is continuing to improve the sector by bringing together the many different companies and disciplines in the industry to share best practice. They are also working with the Scottish Government to ensure that views of the industry are part of policy development. In addition, he highlighted the role of social landlords as clients of the industry. Agreeing with Bob Millar, he said that it is essential for local authorities and housing associations to use their role as clients of the construction industry to make sure that tenants and homeowners get the homes they need.

He concluded that there remain substantial challenges for the industry, particularly in the way it delivers new sustainable housing and said that improving the environmental performance of the existing housing stock was area where there is substantial work to be done.