Government updates planning rules for green homes

Tue 09 Mar 2010

Future residential property developments will have to comply with new environmental guidelines from the government.

Local authorities will be handed a green planning rulebook outlining how new homes should be planned and built with the environment in mind.

Housing minister John Healey said the new guidelines are "tougher" and "better" than the previous regulations.

He stated that the overhauled system would give local authorities a blueprint that reflects the latest targets and ensures they put climate change "at the heart of future development".

Mr Healey also confirmed that two councils have expressed an interest in using eco-town standards for planned new settlements.

East Devon District Council and Fareham Borough Council have submitted bids that will now be subject to widespread public consultation.

The government is currently hoping to have up to ten eco-towns up and running by 2020.

This could help the UK meet its targets on cutting carbon emissions, as official figures show domestic properties are responsible for a quarter of the country's carbon output.

Nicola Raistrick, planning partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, commented: "It is commendable that funds are being directed to training officers who will have to administer the new 'green' rules.

"The rules will be another issue for housebuilders to deal with on schemes which are struggling for viability.

"Residential developers are being asked to provide a solution to both the lack of affordable homes and climate change and their ability to do it is of real concern in the current economic climate."