Council says it is "concerned about Government’s approach to energy efficiency"

With tackling climate change a top priority for South Hams District Council, it has voiced its concerns on the Government’s efforts and speed to improve the energy efficiency of new homes.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) is currently consulting on changes to The Future Homes and Buildings Standards, a set of rules that will come into effect in 2025 to ensure new homes produce less carbon emissions.

In its response to the consultation, South Hams District Council has expressed its "concerns on the limited standards being set for new buildings, as well as the government’s approach to the full Future Homes and Building Standards".

Cllr Julian Brazil, Leader of South Hams District Council, said: “The Future Homes and Building Standards were supposed to deliver a huge shift in energy efficiency with new buildings not needing future work to be considered net-zero.

"However, the Government’s approach is now to rely on the decarbonisation of the electric grid to deliver carbon savings, rather than ensure new homes and buildings are net-zero in operation from the outset.

“It is hugely disappointing that at a time when we need to drastically reduce carbon emissions, we are presented with these barriers. 

“We need the Government to act fast and take bigger and quicker strides on the important issue. We understand that ensuring net-zero in operation of new builds comes at a cost, however the long-term financial cost of not doing so, could have far reaching implications for future generations.

“We remain driven and committed to achieving our 2025 net zero targets while just as importantly reducing energy bills for our residents. We cannot do this alone; we need the support at a national level.”