Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to encourage the inclusion of sustainable technologies, including energy production and waste disposal, in new-build developments.
The Building Regulations set minimum energy performance and waste provision standards for new homes and non-domestic buildings. They are deliberately couched in performance terms and do not prescribe the sustainable technologies to be used, allowing builders the flexibility to innovate and select the most practical and cost effective solutions in particular circumstances.
As part of its response to Dame Judith Hackitt's independent review of Building Regulations and fire safety, the Government is developing a programme to review the Building Regulations' guidance. A review of the energy performance standards in Building Regulations is already underway.