[Greenbuilding] Fw: Eco-Homes in the UK

Wed Nov 1 15:39:01 CST 2006

Subject: RE: Eco-Homes in the UK - Central Government Policy 

Yes, the Westminster (UK) Government has issued instructions to all its housing and regeneration agencies, and the voluntary (not-for-profit) "Housing Associations" that "sustainable code compliance" will be a compulsory condition for any Government Funding of new housing projects, after 1st April 2007.
It does not have to be a "law" (approved by parliament) as it is more of an "executive decision", by the Cabinet Minister's responsible for Environment and Housing, and is backed by a full cabinet and Prime Ministerial published decision.
So I'll copy into this mesage the government policy statement,... and inculde links fro the UK, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland.

========= copy follows ========= http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1163851

Environmental sustainability - Draft Code for Sustainable Homes (UK)
What is being announced?
  a.. The draft Code for Sustainable Homes is a new voluntary approach to improving the sustainability of new homes, saving water and energy, and building on the 70% improvements to the energy efficiency of new buildings we have made since1990 (40% since 2002). 
  b.. New homes will be required to meet standards of energy and water efficiency (such as A rated appliances or dual flush toilets) in order to meet the base level of the Code. 
  c.. The Code will, for the first time, provide buyers of new homes with information on the sustainability and running costs of their homes, which will gain one of five star ratings. Homes that meet the first level will use 20 per cent less energy and water compared to homes built in 2002. Meeting the highest level will require carbon-neutral development, using cutting edge technology such as microgeneration. 
  d.. The Code does not substitute for building regulations. Its comprehensive nature (addressing some things not in regulation) means that the Code as a whole sets more demanding building standards even at the entry level. 
  e.. The Code points the way to the future of building regulations. We want to make improvements to building standards simpler, more transparent and less piecemeal. The Code represents a major opportunity to develop a voluntary, high compliance, approach.
How will it work?
  a.. A home that meets the Code will save about 25,000 litres of water a year. For public funded housing this could save about 0.5 billion litres of water each year, enough to fill 1,000 swimming pools. If all new housing meets the Code this would save 6 billion litres of water, enough to fill 10,000 swimming pools each year. 
  b.. The cost of complying with level 1 of the Code is estimated to be about £600, less than 1% of the build cost of an average dwelling. Purchasers can expect to save around £100 a year in running costs. 
  c.. The Code sets out minimum standards on energy and water efficiency, site and household waste, materials, and surface water management. 
  d.. Further optional standards are included on lifetime homes, sound insulation, private external space, use of daylight and security. 
  e.. Homes must meet minimum standards to achieve star ratings and housebuilders can select from a range of environmental improvements to meet higher levels. 
  f.. All homes receiving direct government funding will meet the Code and those built through "English Partnerships" and "Housing Corporation" programmes will meet level three, which is significantly higher than current building regulations. 
  g.. In giving housebuilders the opportunity to voluntarily deliver significant improvements to the sustainability of new homes we will look for rapid take up in the private sector and monitor this on an annual basis. 
  h.. It is our ambition the Code will become the norm for new build homes. 
  i.. Although energy usage has been massively reduced by building regulations (and the latest changes are to be implemented in 2006) we intend to work with a range of expert bodies, including BRE, to explore affordable and practical ways to reduce energy usage still further. 
  j.. The Code is voluntary (where there is no Government Funds in a project) and compliance will not be a condition of Planning Approval (or Building Regulations Approval).
  k.. Neither does it replace current building regulations which remain in place. 
  l.. Local authorities are also being encouraged in PPS3 to identify strategic sites, where homes may meet the Code, in their local development plans.
What's the background?
  a.. In recent years great progress has been made in improving the sustainability of buildings and their contents through a range of initiatives. But, still, more than a quarter of the UK's carbon emissions come from energy used in homes and more than half of water used is in homes. 
  b.. It is therefore vital that new homes are built in a way that is more sustainable. 
  c.. We are looking for an open consultation and widespread debate on the draft Code, published today (5 Dec 2005) and we are looking for feedback from all stakeholders by 6 March 2006. 
  d.. The consultation document and is available on the ODPM website. 
  e.. We aim to publish the final document in 2006. 
  f.. The draft Code was developed over the past year as part of our response to the Sustainable Buildings Task Group, and was given direction by a Steering Group of key industry and government representatives. We have also worked closely with a range of expert bodies including the Building Research Establishment. We are continuing to work with the Steering Group to develop the Code in the light of responses to the consultation and with their help will develop the future management structure
The link to the consultation document of the proposed Sustainable buildings code. http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162094 - 12k - 06 December 2005

Note: The UK "Code for Sustainable Housing" is not as yet finally published.

Sustainable Communities: Homes for All
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1122851
A five year plan offering everyone the opportunity of a decent home at a price they can afford. 
It includes measures to deliver new homes while protecting the environment; 
help for 80,000 first time buyers and key workers to own a home; 
Homebuy, which could enable up to 300,000 social tenants to buy a share in their home; 
moveUK - a new system bringing together information about jobs and homes; 
extending choice-based lettings nationwide; 
and action to halve numbers living in temporary accommodation by 2010.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1122851

Brownfield Briefing is designed to bring you the latest news in the area of brownfield development. There is comprehensive coverage, a mix of expert commentary, analysis and interviews with key figures in the industry, along with reports on management, legal and insurance issues.
http://www.brownfieldbriefing.com/

SCOTLAND:
The Scotish Executive (Scotland's 'national' government) have published a similar document - with a more direct approach, addressing the issues at the end-user the home owner, or client.
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/homeimprovements.html
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/html/principles.html
Scotland has also proposed revisions to its "builing Regualtions" for greater sustainablity - see the following link:
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/current_standards/Sustainability.htm
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/current_standards/latest_update.htm

Specialised Guidance from SBSA (Scotlands Building Standards Agency)
The SBSA intends to issue a series of helpful specialised guidance documents to assist designers and verifiers to better understand the intention behind certain issues.
It is the intention of the SBSA to produce in the future several guidance documents helping explain in less legalistic terms the intention behind some of the more complex regulations and standards.
  a.. Guidance on implementation of Articles 3, 4, 5 & 6 of EU Directive 2002/91/EC on the energy performance of buildings http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/pdfs/Article%203,4,5%20&%206%20EPBD%20guidance.pdf
  On 4 January 2003 , Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council came into force. 
  The objective of this Directive is to promote improvement of the energy performance of buildings and Member States of the European Union need to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with it by 4 January 2006 . Although energy matters are generally reserved to the UK Government, building legislation and promotion of energy efficiency are devolved to the administrations.

  A boiler advice leaflet can be accessed http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/pdfs/Annex%20D%20boiler%20advice.pdf

IRELAND:
The republic of Ireland has alos just revised its Building Regualtions.
http://www.environ.ie/DOEI/DOEIPol.nsf/wvInfoView/35D32B901EE51D3D80256F0F003BC83E?OpenDocument&Lang=en
Energy Efficiency (.ie)
http://www.sei.ie/

EUROPE
All 25 nations (UK and Ireland inculded) have to implement the E

Enjoy the reading!

John S Bone, MBEng, BSc (Hons)
email: johnsbone at gateshead.plus.com

 -----Original Message-----
 From: Nadav Malin [mailto:nadav at BuildingGreen.com]
 Sent: 31 October 2006 02:19
 To: Johnsbone at gateshead.plus.com; greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
 Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Eco-Homes in the UK

 Hi John,

 Thank you for sharing this information--it's quite intriguing. The links you provided have details on what constitutes an "Ecohome", but  I don't see anything on the regulation you mention requiring that publicly financed homes meet this specification. Is there anything that you can send me or point me to that provides details on that requirement?

 Nadav