|
New environmental standards, more comprehensive and demanding than current building regulations are to be incorporated into a star rating system similar to those found on domestic white goods.
The government intends to introduce a Code for Sustainable Homes to further increase standards over and above building regulations.
The star ratings will allow home buyers to see judge more accurately the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of new homes.
The first star rating will be more comprehensive and demanding than current building regulations, and the highest star rating will require cutting edge technology to achieve carbon neutral development.
The government says this builds on measures already taken to increase the energy efficiency of new homes by 40%, since 2002.
New publicly funded homes will be expected to reach level 3 on the star ratings system, significantly higher than current building regulation standards. Local authorities will also being encouraged to promote the use of the Code on public sector land and strategic sites.
"We intend that all other housing procured by the public sector should be built to Code standards," announced Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper. "Our ambition is that there should be rapid take up of the Code by the private sector and we will monitor take up on an annual basis."
|
Get
this news on your website !
Sponsored listings: