A new planning strategy has been launched by the government in a bid to encourage local authorities to consider the benefits of good quality buildings and green spaces as part of new developments.

'World Class Places', unveiled by communities secretary Hazel Blears and culture secretary Andy Burnham, aims to ensure that all public and private sector schemes include a new minimum standard of design. Proposals for all new public sector developments could now face scrutiny by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) as part of the strategy, while the government will also draw up a set of design quality standards for new housing neighbourhoods.

Other commitments outlined in the strategy include the possible extension of the Green Flag scheme for parks and open spaces, new planning policies for heritage and green spaces, and improved regional support for councils. Burnham said: "Good design is not an extravagance. In the present economic context, it is vital not to relax in our quest for well designed houses, schools, hospitals, offices, and town centres.

"Achieving excellent quality of place and sustainable buildings should be at the heart of our thinking, and this new strategy will help us redouble our efforts to ensure that good design improves the quality of life for everyone." Blears added: "If we give up on good design now, we will simply create rundown areas which we will all have to live with once we get beyond this recession - and we'll end up paying for them twice.

"It is vital we continue to build new houses, schools and hospitals to the very highest standards and we continue to maintain our great built heritage and invest in green spaces and green infrastructure."