Changes to planning rules would limit scope of English councils and prevent them pursuing improvements to low-carbon homes
The government has been accused of bowing to lobbying by housebuilders, in proposals that would prevent English local authorities from pursuing improvements to low-carbon homes standards.
Under a consultation on planning rules, councils would be issued with guidance that would effectively limit their scope to demand builders construct new homes within their areas to the highest possible standards.
These changes to the National Planning Policy Framework would benefit housebuilders, which could be assured of the same standards across England, but would bind the hands of councils, some of which have declared a “climate emergency”.
Modern Eco-Friendly Home with Solar Panels (Image: D. Goug/Pexels)
Ministers have yet to publish separate much-delayed rules for the future homes standard (FHS), which requires new homes to be built with low-carbon equipment such as heat pumps, high-grade insulation and solar panels. But there are fears that the FHS will not go far enough.
The government has refused to mandate specific technologies in the FHS, preferring to “set performance outcomes” according to a document seen by the Guardian, which could lead to builders trying to avoid installing technology such as heat pumps and solar panels, or installing too few solar panels on new homes.
Read more: The Guardian
