There seems to be much confusion regarding the forthcoming status of the Code for Sustainable Homes. There are many references to Government making a Code assessment mandatory from April this year.
But is this truly the case?
So in an attempt to clarify the situation, we spoke with DCLG. Although the final decision is still ‘with the Minister’ the current proposals are somewhat different from the speculation. In short, rather than all dwellings requiring an assessment, the proposal is that where an assessment has been completed to discharge a planning or funding condition, the results of the assessment are to be included in the HIP’s report. Equally, where an assessment has not been completed, the HIP’s must include the text stating that a Code assessment has not been completed and that the dwelling effectively acheives a Code Level 0. There should then follow a description of the Code including background information and the purpose of the Code as a measurement tool.
The idea is to build public awareness of the value of the Code and the direction that UK policy is supposed to be going in. ie to achieve zero carbon homes by 2016.
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February 21, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Jason Hawkes
I cant believe it. I’ve had Government Ministers banging on in my ear all day about joined up thinking, not being cowards and that its time to deliver- and now this. Flawed as the Code is, at least it is something to go on.
February 22, 2008 at 9:52 am
nickdevlin
I would add as a caveat that the above is what we were told by DCLG. Until it happens, I would suggest that nothing is certain. Interestingly though, it would appear that there has been some resistance to the HIP inclusion issues from the volume house builders. Quite rightly, they believe that highlighting where assessments have not been undertaken may undermine the perceived value of their product. Especially once it is common public knowledge that HA schemes must be Code 3.