Press Release

NFB CONCERN AT KELLY’S GREEN SPEECH

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has expressed concern at the implication for carbon dioxide reduction policies contained within Ruth Kelly’s recent speech to the Green Alliance (4th April) - describing it as ‘flying in the face of house builders’ practical concerns’.

In a letter sent this week to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Julia Evans, chief executive at the NFB, criticises the Government’s latest announcement concerning sustainable planning.

Julia Evans said: “The suggestion that planning authorities should be given flexibility to set standards for new homes at different levels and timetables than those envisaged in the Code for Sustainability is fundamentally unsound. It implies that large amounts of costly on-site energy generation would be sought before the difficult task of reaching Code Levels 3 and 4 has been properly understood and applied nationally.

“The approach will seriously prejudice the delivery of much-needed new homes. Introducing Code Levels 3 and 4 through planning policies, rather than Building Regulations, seems to imply the precise opposite of the virtually unanimous industry view.”

The HBA also expresses concern about the Government continuing to propose on-site energy generation, and in particular, the site-size threshold at which this must be done.

Julia Evans added: “These proposals represents a major threat to the viability of many small sites, and by extension, to the future of many small and medium-sized house builders. The consequences of proceeding in this manner, without proper consideration or full discussion with the industry, can only confuse and distract the industry which is gearing up for increased output, balanced with a responsible and proportionate approach to sustainability.

“Regardless of whether they are volume house builders or smaller companies, I believe that all of them will find this recently expressed approach impossible to apply.”

Ms Evans added: “What is certain is that small and medium-sized house builders will find meeting Code Level 3 by 2010 to be a significant challenge, and it will be an even greater challenge to meet Code Level 4 by 2013. While everyone in our industry wishes to contribute to the sustainability agenda, it is essential that progress towards these targets is orderly, well understood and monitored by technically qualified building control staff in local authorities.

“This can only be achieved by a prompt review of building regulations and a clear commitment to raising performance levels by the building regulation route, not via planning policies, which would be monitored by unsuitably qualified people.

“This speech to the Green Alliance, made so soon after the consultation period ended, seemed to fly in the face of house builders’ practical concerns, and will cause some to be sceptical about how genuine DCLG’s desire to consult really is.”