The government has appointed Create Streets founder Nicholas Boys Smith to establish its new quango responsible for driving up housing design standards.

Boys Smith, who was also the co-chair with the late Roger Scruton of the government’s Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission and is associated with promoting traditional over contemporary design, will oversee the setting up of the new design body.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said Boys Smith had established himself as “the pre-eminent voice in the movement to create beautiful, sustainable neighbourhoods”.

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