Approved Document L Proposals for 2013/2014

DCLG have confirmed the proposals 2013 / 2014 Part L (England).  Balancing the issues of regulatory burden, the green agenda and promoting economic growth there are a number of changes to the proposed consulted standards.

Please note these standards do not apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

The long awaited announcement on the 2013 Part L has been confirmed. This is the next step in enabling the delivery of Zero Carbon homes by 2016 and Zero Carbon non-domestic buildings by 2020. The timetable has been confirmed and legislation and guidance will be published Oct 2013. This will come into force on 6th April 2014 (requiring registration of the Scheme by Initial Notice). There will be a period of 12 months to commence works on site. There are a number of changes to the Consultation proposals.

The targets for new buildings have been set as 

·         6% cut in allowed carbon emissions for new build homes with the introduction of Fabric targets based on Energy (TFEES)

·         9% cut in allowed carbon emissions for non domestic buildings

The targets are based on the 2010 standards of compliance (SAP2009 and SBEM 2010), however there are new (beta) versions of the updated software for you to test on schemes –  www.2013ncm.bre.co.uk

There will be a new L1A and L2A with limited changes to the requirements on existing buildings – mainly plant and services replacement efficiencies.

This is part of a 3 tier package of measures – combined with   

·         Allowable Solutions. This resolves the issue where on-site solutions will not deliver the full “Zero Carbon” or “Zero Energy” target within the site boundaries as defined by the 2010 Regulations. It is a form of offsetting the energy use against a more practical or alternative solution by making a payment towards a Green initiative such as a wind farm or Biofuel plant. 

·         Housing Standards Review - on the back of the Red Tape Challenge the DCLG will shortly be consulting on a further package of measures to abolish unnecessary rules imposed on housebuilders, cut red tape and support housing growth. This could see the removal of Planning conditions for Code for Sustainable Homes or BREEAM requirements.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-measures-to-save-200-in-fuel-bills-for-a-new-home

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/housing-standards-review-consultation

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/next-steps-to-zero-carbon-homes-allowable-solutions

Butler & Young are offering free seminars on the proposals please contact either your normal Butler & Young office / contact or Andy Thomas  on 07968 725075 and andy.thomas@byl.co.uk              

 

Building Regulation Changes for 2013/2014

The Minister Don Foster has just announced the changes to the Building Regulations planned in 2013 / 2014.

While changes to Parts A and C will be brought in in 2013 the long awaited announcement on the next Part L has been confirmed. This is the next step in enabling the delivery of Zero Carbon homes by 2016 and Zero Carbon non-domestic buildings by 2020. The timetable has been confirmed and it will come into force in April 2014.

The Targets for new buildings have been set as  

·         6% cut in allowed carbon emissions for new build homes

·         9% cut in allowed carbon emissions for non domestic buildings

These targets are based on the 2010 standards of compliance.

These figures are different to those consulted on – the Government is “responding to Consultation views” and have decided on a lower target than initially preferred by the Government. It would seem that there has been appreciation of the burden on the industry and a full appreciation of the difficult times in the Housebuilding market.

It is considered that these targets will be able to be delivered without the essential contribution of renewables. Services efficiency and Fabric performance have been researched and shown to be able to provide the necessary energy savings without having to install PV or other renewable sources of energy.

A further interesting part of the announcement is the highlighting of the issue of Allowable Solutions. This may be seen as an acceptance that some situations will not deliver the full “Zero Carbon” or “Zero Energy” target within the site boundaries as defined by the 2010 Regulations. It is a form of offsetting the energy use against a more practical or alternative solution by making a payment towards a Green initiative such as a wind farm or Biofuel plant.  

Further to this and on the back of the Red Tape Challenge the DCLG will shortly be consulting on a further package of measures to abolish unnecessary rules imposed on Housebuilders, cut red tape and support housing growth.

 

Link to Minister statement - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-measures-to-save-200-in-fuel-bills-for-a-new-home