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Clarity on zero carbon welcome, say HBF

Friday, July 30, 2010

Source: Catherine Deshayes

Responding to Housing Minister Grant Shapps' statement today setting out the Government's approach to clarifying the details of the zero carbon homes policy, the Home Builders Federation said the impetus to resolve remaining important issues was helpful and that the home building industry would participate actively in discussions on these...

The Minister's statement confirms that the proposed minimum level of building fabric energy efficiency under the zero carbon policy that was consulted on earlier this year will be adopted in future revisions of building regulations.

In addition, the Zero Carbon Hub has been asked to test what would be an appropriate level for a "carbon compliance" requirement for on-site measures under the policy while the Government will explore further the scope for developers to make payments into local energy funds for carbon mitigation beyond this level.

Crucially, the Government has recognised the importance of the zero carbon policy being compatible with development viability as well as ambitious in its objectives. HBF believes it is vital to get this balance right.

That means looking very carefully at the affordability of any carbon compliance element or whether in fact it is better to have a more flexible approach beyond fabric efficiency requirements.

Similarly any contributions to local energy funds must also be affordable and avoid subjecting companies to a wide variety of different requirements across the country. That would simply add to risk and cost. Striking this balance effectively and ensuring the industry has the right regulatory climate within which to bring forward future homes that meet its customers' requirements is essential.

The Federation welcomes the Government's confirmation of its financial contribution to the vital work of the Zero Carbon Hub this year - continuing the partnership approach to the implementation of the policy that has existed since its launch.

Commenting, HBF Executive Chairman Stewart Baseley said: "The Minister's statement brings further helpful and necessary clarity to the direction of work on the zero carbon homes policy.

"We and our members will wish to contribute actively to these important discussions. In this regard, the Minister's recognition that the policy's ambition must be balanced against maintaining the viability of future development is critical and sets the yardstick against which we must judge our future success.

"We must ensure that both future building regulations requirements and any future local energy funds are both affordable for the industry and avoid creating a myriad of differing requirements that would in themselves frustrate effective delivery."