Green housing revolution

[edit] Introduction

On 1 October 2019, the government unveiled what it hailed as an environmental revolution in home building; a green standard to cut carbon emissions by up to 80% for all new homes from 2025.

Unveiled by Housing Secretary the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, the Future Homes Standard will see gas boilers and other fossil-fuel heating systems banned from new homes by 2025. Their place will be taken by clean technology such as solar panels and air-source heat pumps.

Other developments allied to the announcement include:

• A national design code to ensure developers ‘build beautiful, well-designed homes that people are proud to live in’.
• Plans to overhaul the planning system so that it becomes simpler, fairer, faster and works for everyone.

The government also shifted part of the onus onto local authorities who are expected to produce their own design guides reflecting local geography, history and character.

In brief, the government’s green housing revolution includes:

[edit] Future Homes Standard

The launch of an open consultation on how Parts F and L of the building regulations can be upgraded to increase energy efficiency in new homes built after 2025. This will pave the way for the Future Homes Standard.

[edit] Accelerated planning green paper

Proposals to speed-up the planning system include:

• Councils to refund fees if they take too long deciding planning applications.
• Simpler, more user-friendly local planning guidance.
• Simpler planning guidance for small developers, including a new, tiered planning system.
• Review of planning application fees to ensure the proper resourcing of planning departments.
• Planning conditions to be reduced by a third.
• Building homes above existing properties will be made easier, as will the demolition of commercial properties to create new housing.

[edit] Design quality

• A government-backed National Model Design Code will be published in 2020. It will highlight a new model for better designed, 'stylish' homes that accommodate the needs of local people.
• The launch of the green housing revolution was accompanied by the publication of a new National Design Guide. This is intended to help local authorities achieve quality and excellence in design; it will also recommend to developers what they need to deliver to win the support of communities. The guide will also ask councils to prepare and implement their own design guides in line with the national standard.

[edit] Pocket parks

More funding has been promised for more pocket parks, transforming derelict urban areas into vibrant green spaces. These areas can accommodate activities such as children’s play areas, vegetable patches and community events. The parks are seen as furthering the government’s intent to ensure communities are given a greater sense of place and identity.

Find out more at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/housing-secretary-unveils-green-housing-revolution

[edit] Reaction

Gillian Charlesworth, Chief Executive of BRE Group said: "We share Government’s ambition to increase the supply of green, environmentally friendly homes that people want in their local communities. With the impacts of climate change already disrupting people’s homelife, through flooding and overheating, we must take every opportunity to ensure new homes have as little impact upon our climate whilst also addressing societies changing needs." Ref BRE response to the green housing revolution.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• BRE Group response to the Future Homes Standard consultation.
• BRE response to the green housing revolution.
• Climate change Act.
• Construction 2025.
• Construction Leadership Council.
• Energy Act.
• Energy Performance Certificates.
• Energy Related Products Regulations.
• Energy targets.
• Future Homes Standard.
• Government Construction Strategy.
• Home design prospects under the Future Homes Standard.
• Low carbon construction IGT
• National Design Guide.
• Sustainability.
• Sustainable materials.
• UK Green Building Council.
• Zero carbon homes.
• Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.

[edit] External references

• Further details on the green housing revolution.