Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will amend building regulations relating to external wall insulation to prevent the excessive use of sand and cement render for the final finish if doing so would conceal original and aesthetically pleasing brick facades; and if he will make a statement.

The Building Regulations set minimum standards for the performance of external wall insulation, including safety and energy efficiency. These are functional standards which do not prescribe the particular materials to be used to meet the requirements.

Permitted development regulations allow the installation of solid wall insulation without a planning application, providing that the materials used in any exterior work are of a similar appearance to those used in the construction of the existing house. Whether similar appearance is achieved is a matter for local planning authorities. Where permitted development rights do not apply, an application for planning permission will need to be made to the local planning authority.

Listed building consent is required for works of alteration to a listed building where those works would affect its special architectural or historic character.