New House Approved in Sawbridgeworth - Design by Atelier Charnaux.

We are committed to sustainable design and aim to contribute with our part on the planet to meet net-zero emissions.

What is changing in Planning and Building Control:

The UK has introduced new regulations and standards aimed at enhancing sustainability in planning and building control to meet its net zero emissions target by 2050.
These changes include:

- Energy Efficiency Standards: All new homes and businesses must meet rigorous new energy efficiency standards to lower energy consumption and bills. This includes significant improvements to the energy performance of new homes, making them highly energy efficient with low carbon heating and being zero carbon ready by 2025. These homes are expected to produce 75-80% lower carbon emissions compared to current levels. For existing homes, there will be higher standards for extensions, repairs, and replacements to make them more energy-efficient​​.

- Building Regulations: Significant updates were made in June 2022, requiring new homes to cut carbon emissions by 30% and non-domestic buildings by 27% to help the country move towards its Net Zero by 2050 target. These regulations also introduced new Approved Documents L, F, and O to reflect these requirements, aiming to improve energy efficiency, ventilation, and prevent overheating. Additionally, a new Approved Document S mandates infrastructure for electric vehicle charging points in all new homes​​.

- Compliance with Climate Goals: The latest versions of Approved Document L, published in 2021, require an average 27% improvement in energy efficiency for non-domestic buildings and a 30% improvement for domestic buildings relative to the previous 2013 edition. These regulations are designed to ensure compliance with the UK's Climate Change Act 2050 targets, demonstrating the government's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the energy efficiency of buildings​​.

These regulatory changes are part of a broader effort by the UK government to address emissions from buildings, which account for a significant portion of the country's total energy usage. By implementing these measures, the UK aims to reduce energy bills for families and businesses while contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.