A new green standard
for new build homes will bring an environmental revolution to home building –
tackling climate change while keeping household bills low.
Unveiled by the
Housing Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, the Future Homes Standard will see
polluting fossil fuel heating systems such as gas boilers banned from new homes
by 2025 and replaced with the latest generation of clean technology – such as air
source heat pumps and cutting-edge solar panels.
Ministers will also
consult on a new blueprint to overhaul the planning system in order to create a
simpler, fairer system that works for everyone – from home owners to small and
medium businesses, local communities to housing developers.
The government has
also announced plans for a new national design code that will ensure developers
build beautiful, well designed homes that people are proud to live in.
In the coming
months, every single local authority across the country will be expected to
produce their own design guide which reflects their unique setting, character
and history, while meeting the expected national standard.
Housing Secretary Rt
Hon Robert Jenrick MP 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."
The government has
launched a consultation
on stronger building regulations that will pave the way for the Future Homes
Standard.
The 2020 changes aim
to improve the environment by cutting carbon emissions in new homes by almost a
third, while keeping bills low.
