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Government housing design advisor Sir Roger Scruton dies aged 75
Government housing advisor and conservative philosopher Roger Scruton has died aged 75.
As well as being an author of more than 50 books on aesthetics, morality and politics, he worked with the government on a housing design commission that was intended to ensure the building of more attractive developments.
A statement on his website said that he had been fighting cancer for six months and that he “died peacefully” on Sunday.
“His family are hugely proud of him and of all his achievements,” it said.
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Sir Roger was at the centre of controversy last year when he was dismissed from and then reinstated to an unpaid role as chair of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission.
He had lost the role after criticism of his comments about China and Muslim immigrants, but was restored when supporters said his remarks had been misrepresented.
Former housing secretary James Brokenshire apologised for the initial decision, saying he “regretted” the move.
The commission was launched in November 2018 to tackle “the importance of design and style” in new housing developments.
In an article in The Spectator last year, Sir Roger said architects needed to stop aiming for the “iconic” and focus on “everyday beauty”.
“No one I talk to denies the need for a large number of new houses. But they all hope that this need can be reconciled with our deep-seated desire for beauty,” he wrote.
Born in February 1944, Sir Roger attended a grammar school before studying at the University of Cambridge.
He was knighted for his services to philosophy, teaching and public education in 2016.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick tweeted: “Deeply sorry to learn of the death of Sir Roger Scruton. His work on building more beautifully, submitted recently to my department, will proceed and stand part of his unusually rich legacy.”
Sir Roger is survived by his wife, Sophie, and two children, Sam and Lucy.
