Proposed design standards for sustainable homes should be made mandatory, says the South East England Regional Assembly.

Responding to consultation, Assembly members at a joint meeting of the Executive and Regional Planning Committees (Friday 20 January), also called on Government to include higher energy efficiency standards and minimum targets for recycling and re-using waste. Without these tougher standards the region is missing an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.

Cllr Keith Mitchell, Chairman of the Assembly, said: "Being sustainable should become embedded in society if we want to make good use of our natural resources, so they last longer. The Assembly is positive about the new Code for sustainable homes but we want to push the boundaries by making it mandatory. It is time to be tougher on ourselves to make this leap forward. The housing industry, the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships need to make it happen to ensure a step change; the ball is now with Government to create a mandatory code."

The Code is based on the Building Research Establishment's EcoHomes standard and is expected to be launched in April 2006. It should help improve resource efficiency of homes and could help with implementing some South East Plan policies.

The Code will set minimum standards that must be achieved in six areas:

• Energy efficiency in the fabric of the building and appliances
• Water efficiency
• Surface water management
• Site waste management (eg construction waste)
• Household waste management
• Use of materials.

Six optional elements are also included:

• Lifetime/ adaptable homes
• Sound insulation
• Private external space
• More daylight to benefit health and reduce the need for electric lighting
• Improved security
• A home user guide/ logbook.

Higher levels of the Code can be achieved by incorporating some of these elements or exceeding minimum standards in the essential elements.

Contacts

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Heather Bolton, Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. For further comments to the consultation on the Code for sustainable homes, please see the meeting paper of 20 January 2006
2. The South East England Regional Assembly is the "voluntary regional chamber" for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
3. The Regional Assembly is made up of 112 members including elected councillors nominated by the region's local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
4. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
• It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
• The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
• The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007