Regulations revamp

The Building Regulations will be reformed every three years starting in 2010, rather than on a random basis, if proposals to be published over the next few weeks are implemented.

The proposals, reported by Building magazine, form part of guidance on Building Regs and if implemented are expected to remove much uncertainty from the system.

One Whitehall source told Building that it was 'inconceivable' that the new regs should not be implemented, saying that at a consultation last year everyone who responded said 3-4 year updates were 'a bloody good idea.' It's thought the proposals were also heavily trailed at two industry advisory group meetings last week and are now just awaiting final approval from communities secretary Hazel Blears.

And it's all change for the UK's leading environmental standard this May, when BREEAM gets a radical revamp.

Building reported that the latest incarnation of the 18-year-old assessment method, will make post-construction reviews mandatory, set maximum levels for energy and water consumption and minimum requirements for material selection.

A new 'outstanding' category will also be introduced to rank buildings that exceed the existing 'excellent' rating and environmental categories will be reworked to bring them in line with the Code for Sustainable Homes.