Housing shake-up will not hit sustainability, says minister

摘要

The government's review of housebuilding standards and Building Regulations will not weaken commitments to sustainability, the minister in charge of the shake-up has said. The terms of reference of the review, unveiled by communities minister Don Foster last week, state that it aims to "significantly rationalise the untenable forest of codes rules, regulations and guidance that add unnecessary cost and complexity to the housebuilding process". The review will include the Code for Sustainable Homes as well as other key environmental "regimes", such as the requirements for Energy Performance Certificates and sustainable drainage, which the terms of reference identified as placing "burdens on businesses during the housebuilding process".