This research explores the viability of establishing national standards for local environmental quality. It was based on focus groups with residents, workshops with professionals delivering environmental services and an analysis of existing relevant standards and indicators. The report sets out 9 Positive Local Qualities of good local environments: clean and tidy, green, unpolluted, secure, safe, accessible, socially inclusive and fulfilling, economically vital and viable, physically attractive. The report proposes a theoretical framework which could be used to set and measure standards at local authority and neighbourhood levels.