New code for sustainable homes

The Government has launched its long-awaited Code for Sustainable Homes which will see all new homes given a six-star sustainability rating from 2008.

The code has been drawn up by BRE and the DCLG, and aims to ensure all new homes in England have sustainability designed in right from the start. It is based on EcoHomes – the BREEAM assessment methodology for new and refurbished homes.

However, unlike EcoHomes, final certification will be carried out upon completion of construction, in addition to being reviewed at the design stage.

Another key difference is mandatory performance levels across six key areas – energy efficiency, water efficiency, surface water management, site waste management, household waste management and use of materials. This will be used as part of the six star rating system (with six stars being the most sustainable).

At the launch Ruth Kelly, Communities Secretary said: “The Code outlines environmental standards for new homes and I encourage housebuilders to go further and faster in designing environmentally-friendly housing for communities of the future”.

The new code will replace EcoHomes from 1 April 2007 and will be supported by a network of licensed assessors ready to provide certification from the spring.

The Code for Sustainable Homes was launched as a package of measures for planners and housebuilders. The overall strategy, set out in the consultation document Building a Greener Future: Towards zero carbon development, aims to to tackle climate change and ensure that all new homes are zero carbon by 2016.

The main measures were a framework for progressively tightening Building Regulations up to 2016 to increase the energy efficiency of new homes and a draft Planning Policy Statement (PPS) on climate change.

The PPS will expect planning strategies to be tested on their ‘carbon ambition’ and, in providing for new homes, jobs and infrastructure , shape places with lower carbon emissions that are resilient to climate change. The PPS expects development to be located to optimise their carbon performance and make the most of existing and planned opportunities for decentralised, renewables and low carbon energy supplies.

The National House Builders Council has called for industry to engage in the consultation phase. “It is right that the government should marry the aims of sustainability to the planning agenda in the Planning Policy Statement but we must be careful to ensure that the system meets the needs of both delivery and sustainability,” said Imtiaz Farookhi, NHBC ceo.

• Proposals for minimum standards of water efficiency in new homes and commercial buildings in England and Wales have been published for consultation. Consultation will close on 9 March. Visit www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/conserve/index.htm