DLUHC Open Consultation:

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation

The UK government has set a legally binding target of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. From homes to offices, the UK’s built environment is responsible for around 30% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions; decarbonising new buildings is an important part of that challenge.

With this in mind, on the 13th December 2023 the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced the launch of their latest open consultation on changes to Part 6, Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations for dwellings and non-domestic buildings and seeking evidence on Part O – both of which set the energy efficiency requirements for new homes and non-domestic buildings.

The consultation is expected to be of particular interest to the following:

• Property developers and builders
• Construction industry professionals, for example, installers, architects, designers, engineers, surveyors and sub-contractors
• Manufacturers and suppliers of construction materials
• Environmental organisations
• Local authorities, other building control bodies and competent person scheme operators
• National representatives and trade bodies
• Professional bodies and institutions
• Research and academic organisations
• Energy sector professionals
• Public health professionals

That said, specific elements may be of interest to members of the public also.

In their own words …

The government is committed to improving the energy efficiency and reducing the carbon emissions of new homes and non-domestic buildings. Energy efficiency requirements for new homes and non-domestic buildings are set by Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and Part 6 of the Building Regulations 2010 (“the Building Regulations”). This consultation sets out our plans for achieving the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard. It sets out technical proposals for changes to the Building Regulations, the associated Approved Document guidance and calculation methods.

 

In December 2021, a new legal requirement was introduced in the Building Regulations (Part O) to reduce the risk of overheating in new residential buildings. We expect the majority of housebuilders will now have had experience applying Part O to real projects. The relevant parts of the industry should now have had time to understand how the new regulations and guidance are working in practice. As such, we see this as a suitable time to seek views and evidence on Part O.

 

The majority of this consultation has regard to new homes and non-domestic buildings. A small number of sections are also relevant to existing buildings. These are:

• Material Change of Use

• Some elements of Updated Guidance and Minimum Standards

• Real-world performance of homes: changes to Approved Document L, Volume 1: Dwellings and Approved Document F, Volume 1: Dwellings to improve the commissioning of fixed building services in new and existing homes.

• Part O (Call for Evidence)

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards – Have Your Say

The consultation relates to buildings in England only and is open until 23:59 on 6th March 2024 so you need to respond by then and submission is via the Governments online survey portal.

That said however, if it’s not possible for you to use the online survey their are ways you can do so via email to or post.

The full details of the consultation can be accessed via the link below (this Future Homes and Buildings Standards 2023 consultation paper should be read before any response is submitted):

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation >>>

The link to the survey response portal itself (study all documents linked above before responding) is as follows:

Survey Link >>>

At Energy Efficiency Matters we encourage anyone who has an interest in this market to consider this consultation on the Future Homes and Buildings Standards and respond as appropriate. ALL responses are read and considered and so you are really helping to shape the future regulations and to make sure they are accurate and workable.