The Code for Sustainable Homes could become mandatory following the publication of the government’s Housing Green Paper.

Launched by housing minister Yvette Cooper, the paper, Homes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable, sets out plans to build 3 million new homes by 2020.

The code, which measures the sustainability of new homes, became a voluntary standard in England in April. The Green Paper includes a consultation document on making it mandatory. It also looks at the connection between the code and energy performance certificates and using Home Information Packs to make the rating available to prospective buyers.

RIBA President Jack Pringle said: “I am pleased the government has accepted our recommendation that the Code for Sustainable Homes should be mandatory for all new homes. But it must come forward rapidly with a detailed programme to upgrade the energy performance of 21 million existing homes in England if it is to meet its own carbon reduction targets."

Source

Building Sustainable Design

Postscript

Consultation ends on 23 October. See www.communities. gov.uk/index.asp?id=1511885