Housing standards review consultation process launched

Today, the Communities Minister Don Foster announced the launch of a consultation process to seek views on the results of the recent review of Building Regulations and housing standards. This is a 10 week consultation which will conclude on 22nd October 2013.

Within this review of Housing Standards for England, essential safety and accessibility rules will not be changed, but a mass of additional and often confusing housing standards that councils are free to apply locally are proposed to be reduced from over 100 to fewer than 10. It’s also planned to reduce more than 1,500 pages of guidance to fewer than 80, saving councils and house builders time and money. No changes are being made to planning rules.

The review will affect requirements such as the Lifetime Home Standards, Secured By Design and the Code for Sustainable Homes, aspects of which may be incorporated into Building Regulations.  This may create additional requirements across the board for accessibility, security and sustainability.

The BWF will be preparing a summary of the proposals which will be made available to members but full documents relating to the proposals can be obtained following the link below. Approaching the closing date, the BWF will be submitting a response to the consultation and members can either submit comments to Kevin Underwood, Technical Director, for consideration in this Federation response, or they can submit a response directly.

Following the consultation, the Government’s intention is to issue a National Described Standards document as soon as possible, alongside a final impact assessment, analysis of consultation responses, and a planning Policy Statement setting out how housing standards should be treated in the planning system. The Government will also be considering whether further changes may be needed to the Building Regulations, possibly to integrate elements of housing standards. If this is the case, then detailed cost benefit and further consultation will be undertaken to underpin the work.

BWF Chief Executive Iain McIlwee commented:

"We will be consulting with our members closely in the coming weeks.  From initial review we very much support the thrust of this work to simplify, but must be cautious that in simplification we don't throw the baby out with the bath water.  We are certainly concerned that elements of sustainability may be cut completely from future standards, this is a retrograde step and is completely at odds with wider green policies.  Renewable materials are a key part of the future of sustainable construction, with environmental performance declaration and life cycle analysis critical in helping us meet our carbon targets.  We are keen to work with government to get this emphasis right."

Further information can be obtained from:
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/housing-standards-review-consultation

A press notice has also been issued which is available from:
www.gov.uk/government/news/cutting-needless-red-tape-for-house-builders

The Challenge Panel Report which is running parallel with the housing standards review can be found here:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-standards-review-towards-more-sustainable-homes