Energy Saving Week was created to help individuals and families reduce their energy costs, particularly during the colder winter months. With energy bills rising, many households are feeling the strain—heating and powering buildings account for 30% of the UK’s total energy consumption. As a result, the energy efficiency of our homes plays a crucial role in achieving the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
The Government’s house building target of 1.5 million homes makes the need to build smarter inevitable. The Future Homes Standard is expected to become mandatory in 2025, and with the Government largely supportive of the scope of the proposals, further consultation is unlikely.
While the full details of the Standard are still to be finalised, the goal is that homes built from 2025 onwards will produce 75-80% fewer carbon emissions compared to those built under current standards. These homes will be designed to be future-proof, incorporating low-carbon heating systems and high levels of energy efficiency.
Changes in Parts F and L of the Building Regulations in 2021 have already taken the first step towards the Future Homes Standards, surpassing many of the requirements set out in Local Plan policies.
This is particularly relevant for areas with older Local Plans, and these changes should be considered early in the design process, as they can impact the appearance and form of new homes, which in turn impacts the assessment of the proposals. Keep an eye out for Authorities introducing SPDs to address these new standards.
More importantly, designing and building schemes that are significantly more energy efficient not only helps residents save money, but it also benefits any planning application and should be weighed in the balance in favour of a proposal.
#TownPlanning #HousingDevelopment #BigEnergySavingWeek
Big Energy Saving Week
Published: 20 January 2025
Topics: Opinion | Householder | Legislation
Written by Liz Fitzgerald
Liz Fitzgerald | Managing Director Liz has many years’ experience in Local Government as well as private practice. She has extremely wide-ranging knowledge of planning law and procedure, and is an experienced professional witness at Hearings, Public Inquiries, Development Plan Examinations and Judicial Review processes.
