Construction Minister Nick Raynsford has launched a new £7.5m collaborative construction industry research programme, with sustainable development the overarching theme.

Under the DETR's ongoing "Partners in Innovation" (PiI) scheme, construction organisations are invited to submit proposals for research projects over the next three years. The Department's "Construction Innovation and Research Prospectus 2000" sets out the scope of the programme and incorporates guidelines to applicants for the scheme.

Announcing the launch of the competition, Mr Raynsford said: "We aim to help the industry deliver better value; - better economic value through greater profitability, greater competitiveness, greater customer satisfaction and added value; - greater social value, by respecting and treating stakeholders fairly, and creating a healthy and safe built environment; - increased environmental value by enhancing and protecting the natural environment and minimizing the consumption of natural resources and non-renewable energy sources.

"In doing this we are bringing together the policy agendas of Rethinking Construction and Building a Better Quality of Life to drive the whole research programme."

According to Raynsford, all future proposals will have to explain how they would contribute to the economic, social and environmental strands of sustainable development. They will be assessed on the potential impact of that contribution as well as their technical quality.

The PiI scheme is open to construction firms of all sizes and types wishing to become involved in research, innovation and the development of the construction industry. The Prospectus also sets out the DETR key policy aims and priorities for the £22m it plans to spend this financial year on research and innovation in the construction industry.

Anna Lagerkvist