I work for a Local authority in Scotland and we would like to encourage Sustainability in new housing - has anyone got any tips for negotiating with housebuilders. There is a particular site of 600 houses that we would like to pioneer for sustainability
Tony Cowling
posted on 04-02-06
Try telling the developers that if they do do it that their homes will sell better !
Paul Teather
posted on 05-02-06
Up till recently we made a living from renovating (and converting to flats) Victorian appartments in Harrogate. This was always done to building regulations, as a minimum.
Over the last couple of years we invested heavily in renovating to much higher standards; the last property being super-insulated and not requiring central heating.
Did this make any difference? - ON such a small sample difficult to answer, but in summary:
Planning could not care less!
Building Control are interested and generaly supportive.
Estate agents absolutly do not care!
As a result the buying public are difficult to reach; but when we explain the benefits they are receptive, the major problem being money.
We have stoped trying to work on renovations (for the moment) as we simply can not buy suitable properties at anything like reasonable prices. This is because the land and basic shell of the building dominates the value. Anything we do is of secondary value.
In terms of your role in a Local Authority there are things you could consider doing:
1) Enforce the display of SAP certificates (energy ratings) on New Houses! Punish developers who do not do this by withholding their final building control certificate.
(This at least makes the public aware of energy issues)
2) Get the politicians to set planning guidance that requires an ECO-Home rating. This far from a perfect system, but is a start.
There is a small database of authorities who have SPD(G)s for developments. Perhaps one of those can tell you how they did it!
Bob
Elliot Carter
posted on 27-02-06
I am presently carrying out a research scholarship on the business case for sustainable housing and as part of this the CIOB are publishing a summary guide aimed at developers. Keep an eye out for it over the next few months. The launch will be in June.
Many LAs are now writing the "Merton rule" into their planning requirements. Merton council is in London and were the first to impose a mandatory 10% energy production from renewables. I'm working on a project in North Somerset where the requirement is 15% from onsite renewables, or an equivalent CO2 reduction via other means (CHP, energy efficiency). I don't know how this matches with Scotland's planning policies, although I believe new documents are out this spring.
Green Building Bible ((both volumes) fourth edition) These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.
1 year Green Building magazine subscription Green Building magazine is the UK's only eco-building magazine. It always features a wide range of eco-building projects from all around the UK.
Ecohouse 3 Sue Roaf never fails to impress with her inexaustible energy, forthright opinion and attention to detail. Ecohouse has become a classic in the green building genre.
