Housing secretary Robert Jenrick unveiled the Future Homes Standard yesterday, which aims to replace systems such as gas boilers with air source heat pumps and solar panels.
The UK has set in law a target to bring all its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. Homes – both new and existing – account for 20% of emissions and the government wants the average new home to have 75-80% less carbon emissions in 2025 than one built to current energy efficiency requirements.
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The consultation will also look at the role councils play in getting the best energy standards from developers and will run until January 2020.
A link to the consultation can be found here.
The government has also confirmed proposals to speed up the planning system in its accelerated planning green paper, including the potential for more fees to be refunded if councils take too long to decide on specific planning applications.
Government has also set out its ambition to reduce planning conditions by a third, and will take forward proposals to allow homes to be built above existing properties as well as seeking views on demolishing old commercial buildings for new housing, revitalising high streets in the process. The accelerated planning green paper will be published in November 2019.
Jenrick said: “Building new homes isn’t just about bricks and mortar, I want to ensure everyone – including developers – do their bit to protect the environment and give the next generation beautiful, environmentally friendly homes that local communities can support.
“That’s why I am requiring carbon emissions are cut by up to 80% from 2025 for all new homes and have published a National Design Guide, setting out simply what we expect from new development.
“We are also reforming the planning system making it faster and more efficient for everyone, from households to large developers, alongside giving families greater freedom to extend their homes to meet their changing needs.”
