The proposed Architecture Centre for the Solent was launched on 6 September at Portsmouth Civic Offices. In his report "Sustainable Communities in the South East: Building for the Future", the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed the government's support for new architecture centres to be created to support the raising of good design as a priority across the South East - in Milton Keynes and the Solent area, to add to the existing centre in Kent.

The local steering group agreed that there is a need to raise the level of debate on planning and design issues, and to raise awareness of the ramifications of poor design on quality of life, regional confidence and economic performance.

There is also an identified lack of resources within local authorities to focus on promoting good design: most authorities find their staff stretch too far to dedicate themselves to championing design - for example among elected members, some of whom would act as champions for design in their regions.

An architecture centre could provide the resources to undertake an educational remit, and to act as a focal point for members to draw on for support in policy development and project implementation and as a neutral forum where such issues can be debated and worked through, working in partnership with statutory and voluntary sectors.

It will inform and support key decision makers in aspects of design quality, best practice and government policy. It will be involved in delivering projects that raise the profile of design and planning, developing local partnerships and acting as an educational resource for individuals and organisations engaged in design, planning and procurement.

This government-funded initiative has overtaken the Portsmouth Creative Centre proposal which had a rather wider remit, to nourish creative industries in the area, and involve local people more directly in design issues affecting their lives.

The Portsmouth Society has long felt that poorly designed buildings are nearly always given permission here, despite the powers available to local authorities in Planning Policy Guidance 1 to refuse applications that are not well designed.

It will be interesting to see whether the centre - which is supported by both Portsmouth and Southampton city councils - develops, and whether it can make a difference!

Celia Clark