Press release
Local housing delivery - Streamlining cannot
come at the expense of sustainability
Under embargo until: 9.00am, Friday 22 June 2012
For further information contact: Elsie Bryant, Communications Officer
Contact number: 07815 611427 or 0207 291 9948
The Local Housing Delivery Group, chaired by Sir John Harman has today published a dual
review of Local Plan viability testing and local standards in new housing development.
UK-GBC CEO, Paul King said:
“Partnership between local authorities and housebuilders is vital, and this guidance provides
a basis for collaboration going forwards. It’s also sensible to look at how standards can be
made more workable and cost-effective.
“But let’s be clear – any move towards streamlining standards cannot come at the expense
of environmental and social sustainability. The Code for Sustainable Homes has been
instrumental in achieving a step change in the industry, and has allowed the testing and
refinement of standards before they become regulation. While we agree that the Code and
other standards could be improved, we must not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
“We need to beware the unintended consequences of a wholesale weakening of standards at
the national level, which would almost inevitably lead to a proliferation of different
requirements locally.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
A copy of the report can be found here: www.nhbc.co.uk
About UK-GBC
The UK Green Building Council’s mission is to radically improve the sustainability of the built
environment, by transforming the way it is planned, designed, constructed, maintained and
operated. We are a membership organisation, launched in 2007, primarily consisting of
businesses from across the industry. Uniquely, we bring together anyone involved in the
complex process of planning, designing, constructing, maintaining and operating buildings,
1
www.ukgbc.org
along with NGOs, academic institutions and government agencies. More information about
UK-GBC can be found here: www.ukgbc.org
2
www.ukgbc.org