Our History
February 2003
The Sustainable Communities Plan is launched by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister The Plan sets out the Government’s strategy for developing substantial new communities in areas with a housing shortage and for revitalising existing communities following changes in the industrial and economic landscape.
April 2003
Deputy Prime Minister commissions The Egan Review Sir John Egan, a leading industrialist and past president of the Institute of Management, is asked to review the skills and training required to deliver sustainable communities.
April 2004
Sir John Egan publishes The Egan Review: Skills for Sustainable Communities A key recommendation of The Egan Review is the formation of a national centre to drive forward a new, integrated approach to skills development.
February 2005
Deputy Prime Minister introduces the Academy for Sustainable Communities (ASC) At the Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott announces the creation of ASC, saying:
“The Academy will be an international centre of excellence. It has huge potential for developing new ideas, offering opportunities for and thinking on sustainable communities.”