Government launches consultations on Home Energy Model and Future Homes and Buildings Standards
As mentioned above, on Wednesday (13 December), the Government launched a consultation seeking views on the new Home Energy Model which will replace the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for the energy rating of homes. The wholly updated UK home energy rating system which has been developed by a consortium led by BRE. The Home Energy Model, which has been designed by BRE to replace the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for the energy rating of homes, will be more suited to the technologies required to decarbonise the UK’s housing stock, ahead of the implementation of the Future Homes Standard in 2025.. It is still under development and the Government will implement the first version alongside the Future Homes Standard in 2025. The consultation closes on 6 March 2024.
Separately, the Department also opened a consultation seeking views on the methodology which will assess whether new dwellings demonstrate compliance with the Future Homes Standard. The consultation also closes on 6 March 2024.
COP28 ends with an agreement to phase out fossil fuels
On Tuesday (12 December) the COP28 summit ended with a deal signed committing all attending countries to “phase out” fossil fuels. While there is no commitment to entirely stop their use, even the countries with economies most heavily reliant on fossil fuels have signed the agreement committing to the transition away from them. After a fraught negotiation process, this is the first ever climate accord to address the primary driver of warming temperatures.
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities releases £80 million for home building on brownfield land
On Tuesday (12 December) the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities released the third and final round of the £180 million Brownfield Land Release Fund 2, which is now open to council to build new housing on council-owned brownfield land. This will release land for over 8,000 new homes by March 2028. This is part of a wider £10 billion funding boost to housing projects. This also is part of the Government’s plan to build 1 million new homes over this Parliament, with a prioritisation of brownfield land.
Timber in construction roadmap
Alongside the DLUHC announcement, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published a policy paper – Timber in construction roadmap. The policy paper outlines the opportunities and barriers to the use of timber in construction in England, centred around seven priority themes: improving data on timber and whole life carbon; promoting the safe, sustainable use of timber as a construction material; increasing skills, capacity, and competency across the supply chain; increasing the sustainable supply of timber; addressing fire safety and durability concerns to safely expand the use of engineered mass timber; increasing collaboration with insurers, lenders, and warranty providers; and promoting innovation and high performing timber construction systems.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Tuesday 19 December: There will be a Westminster Hall debate on the adequacy of service accommodation.
Wednesday 20 December: Parliament begins its Christmas recess. Recess will end on Monday 8 January.
CE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Wednesday 24 January 2024 – Constructing Excellence Conference 2024: Delivering Tomorrow Today – Constructing Excellence – Book your place today! (If you require assistance, please get in touch)
