By Jonathan Witter, Development Monitoring Director at Assetz Capital
The economic backdrop has continued to throw challenges which have been well documented. The UK major housebuilders have scaled back their new build programmes and SME developers requiring development finance also facing their own challenges. However, faced with a shortage of an estimated 4.3 million homes (Centre for Cities), the bourgeoning demand for housing in the UK continues to provide opportunities both geographically and by sectors such as emerging build-to-rent. Let’s take a closer look…
Part L Building Regulations: The Roadmap to a Sustainable Future
Part L Recap
As a builder or developer, you’ve likely heard of Building Regulations Part L. Last year, there were changes that are important on any new scheme. The adjustments to Part L are viewed as a stepping stone towards the 75% to 80% reduction in carbon, which will be required by the government’s Future Homes standard in 2025. The regulations have been introduced to help create greater energy efficiency and savings on energy costs, as well as better environmental sustainability and stronger compliance. Part L contains four documents, each of which focuses on different aspects of construction.
Why are they important?
- The adjustments to Part L are viewed as a stepping stone towards the 75% to 80% reduction in carbon, which will be required by the Future Homes Standard in 2025.
- The regulations have been introduced to help create greater energy efficiency and savings on energy costs, as well as better environmental sustainability and stronger compliance.
- If companies do not adhere to Part L regulations they face possible consequences, which can include stop work orders, fines, legal action and potentially damage to reputation.
Part L key takeaways:
Reducing carbon and ensuring energy efficiency over the entire lifespan of a building features significantly as part of the new building regulations in the UK. This can be achieved in several ways, such as maximising airtightness, optimising insulation and eliminating thermal bridging.
With a grace period that ended in June this year, it’s worth highlighting some key takeaways in Part L to ensure compliance:
- New carbon emission target – All new homes must produce at least 31% less carbon emissions. New non-domestic builds need to produce at least 27% less.
- New energy efficiency standard – U-values need to be improved in walls and replacement thermal elements from 0.28W/m2K to 0.18W/m2K, and the minimum values for doors, windows and roof windows has improved from 1.6 to 1.4.
- SAP10 replaces SAP 2012 – SAP10 is responsible for setting and calculating the metrics and targets detailed above as well as other standards in building work.
- Geotagged photos – Builders and developers are required to take photographs of the install to confirm the design details have been followed. Not only that, but photos should also have geo location information available to verify they are of the correct plot.
