Government to scale down its zero-carbon homes target… or is it?

There has been conflicting reports in the press over the Government’s ‘zero-carbon’ target for new homes.

Last month, I summarised the Government’s approach for ensuring that all new homes are ‘zero-carbon’ by 2016. However, according to recent reports in The Guardian newspaper, this 2016 target is set to be scaled back following pressure from the housebuilding industry.

According to The Guardian, housebuilders have warned that compliance with the Government’s proposals would be “too expensive and impossible to implement for many flats, and would result in a slump in the rate of homes built.” Consequently, according to The Guardian, the Government may water down its target.

However, the Home Builders Federation has responded to these reports by saying that the housebuilding industry is committed to meeting the zero-carbon target, though it wants the Government to ensure that the definition of ‘zero-carbon’, which is due in the next few months, is “practical, deliverable and affordable” so that the cost of building new homes does not accelerate.

The Guardian’s claims appear to be based on comments made by, conveniently, unnamed senior figures at the Department of Communities and Local Government; and, so far, the Housing Minister Grant Shapps has said nothing to confirm or refute this supposed change in the Government’s stance. We will wait to see what happens, but one thing is for sure: any weakening of the Government’s commitment to its zero-carbon homes plan is sure to anger environmental groups.