English Heritage has warned that London's parks and squares are "scandalously under-funded".

And a MORI poll has found that 70 per cent of those questioned felt that as well as landmark buildings, their local neighbourhood played a part in adding to quality of life in the city.

Forum Response: English Heritage

Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: "Changing London highlights the crucial contribution London's special historic character makes to people's quality of life and the capital's economy.

"It appeals for closer co-operation between architects, developers, politicians, planners and conservationists. It insists that we must stop polarising the old and the new. London's future lies in the integration of both into the daily lives of the 7.5 million people who live and work in this great city.

"It is the very diversity of London's built environment that in the future will underpin London's enviable position in the global market. Our experience, and the results of the special MORI poll, have proved that there is an urgent need to reappraise short sighted planning and development attitudes, as witnessed most recently in mayor Ken Livingstone's Draft London Plan, which fails to recognise what gives London its special edge.

"The MORI poll showed that public awareness of the value of London's architectural diversity is high. In the poll undertaken in August 2002, nearly 70 per cent of Londoners questioned felt that as well as landmark buildings, their local neighbourhood played a part in adding to quality of life in the city.

"Greatest concern was shown for the streetscape with 75 per cent considering that the condition and appearance of the streets and pavements were a serious conservation issue for London.

"The MORI report also showed overwhelming evidence that Londoners placed a high value on the role of good new architecture in London.

"While four out of five felt that the historic environment played an important part in regenerating towns and cities, a significant proportion - 79 per cent - believed that it was important to think about the preservation of modern buildings for future generations. Both English Heritage and CABE agree with this assessment."

Forum Response: Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment

Jon Rouse, chief executive of CABE, said: "CABE finds itself in a frustrating position. We agree with English Heritage that the historic environment is an incredible and important resource for London.

"We agree with the mayor that there must be sufficient room and scope for the best in contemporary development. Given that these objectives are not mutually exclusive, it would be helpful if the mayor and the heritage lobby stopped throwing brickbats at one another and instead sat down and worked together on behalf of Londoners.

"The heritage lobby, led by English Heritage, is an important lobby and we should listen carefully to their viewpoint.

"However, we should keep in mind that theirs is only one perspective and it has to be balanced with all the other needs and demands placed on London's built environment - including the need for more affordable housing, modern transport infrastructure and work-spaces that will continue to attract international investment."

Forum Response: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Stuart Poore, policy officer at RICS, told ePolitix.com: "English Heritage is right to place an emphasis on importance of London's historical environment. The focus for urban regeneration must be on the maintenance of historical integrity - which can serve as an engine for change in areas of abandonment and dereliction."It is imperative that planners, developers and other stakeholders work closely together to ensure good quality urban design that is sensitive to historical context. The regeneration of London's inner cities must be designed to capitalise upon the value of historical buildings and create surrounding environments that are conducive to their survival."