The Culture Department has announced that it will withdraw funding from CABE.
Paul Finch, chairman of CABE, said: “We are bitterly disappointed by the decision. CABE has worked hard with Government in recent months to create low-cost ways to ensure that people can still get the practical advice and support they need to create a good quality built environment. The quality of housing, schools, streets and parks has a major impact on everyone’s life, every day. Indeed, the quality of your local neighbourhood matters even more in tough economic times. So we are surprised to see that no resources at all can be found from the Culture programme to deliver the Government’s commitment to this area of public life.
"I would like to pay tribute to the huge efforts made by staff and commissioners over CABE’s first life. We are very proud of our achievements so far, from the high profile design reviews of the Olympic programme to the less well known support to planning teams and developers up and down the country as they try to create places that look good and work well for everyone. I know there are literally thousands of new buildings, parks and streets which are better because of CABE’s support. I believe the reasons for that work remain and will become ever more relevant to the future of this country."
CABE is now taking stock of the decision and looking at options to create new ways to support and champion good design.