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Architect Terry Farrell is to head up a wide-ranging review of architecture and the built environment, commissioned by the government to inform future architecture policy.

Farrell, director of Terry Farrell & Partners, will chair a panel of experts including other big name architects Jim Eyre, Sunand Prasad and Alison Brooks.

The review will look at the government鈥檚 role in promoting design quality; maximizing the economic benefits of the UK鈥檚 architecture industry; cultural heritage and the built environment; and education and architecture skills.

However, it will not address issues around planning policy.

Culture minister Ed Vaizey said 鈥渁ll those within the built environment industry鈥� should have input into the review.

He said: 鈥淕ood design builds communities, creates quality of life, and makes places better for people to live, work and play in. I want to make sure we鈥檙e doing all we can to recognise the importance of architecture and reap the benefits of good design.鈥�

Vaizey said when he decided to commission the review he 鈥渁nticipated there would be some things government could do better鈥�.

He added that the review would also look at 鈥渉ow CABE is developing鈥�.

Vaizey said he hoped to use the review to make a case for government to spend money on high-quality design in its own buildings.

Farrell said he wanted the debate to be 鈥渁s open as possible鈥�. 鈥淭he emphasis [of the report] will be for government but I do think it鈥檚 for the whole of the industry to think and talk,鈥� he said.

Farell said he would not exclude looking at the role of the RIBA or the Architects Registration Board as part of the review.

The review panel, who will be supported a by a two sub-groups, whose membership is yet to be decided, will meet three or four times throughout the course of the year and will report by the end of the year.

Angela Brady , president of RIBA, said she was looking forward to working with Farrell on the review.

She said: 鈥淎 cross-cutting review of this nature is essential to make sure that there is a coordinated, joined-up approach across government.鈥�