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Code for Sustainable Homes: A Step-Change in Sustainable Home Building Practice

Date: 2006

Evidence type: Policy

Organisation: Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

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Description

The Code for Sustainable Homes has been introduced to drive a step-change in sustainable home building practice. It is a standard for key elements of design and construction which affect the sustainability of a new home. It will become the single national standard for sustainable homes, used by home designers and builders as a guide to development, and by home-buyers to assist in their choice of home.

 

This document explains what the Code for Sustainable Homes is and how it works. It also includes tables showing the criteria that assessors will use to measure achievement of sustainability performance under the Code.The Code sits alongside the planning system which guides sustainability in broader  locational and aesthetic issues.

Key Messages

The Code uses a sustainability rating system - indicated by stars, to communicate the overall sustainability performance of a home. A home can achieve a sustainability rating from one to six stars depending on the extent to which it has a

Benefits for the Environment 

- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: With minimum standards for energy efficiency at each level of the Code, there will be a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to the environment. This will enable us to reduce the threat from climate change. 

- Better adaptation to climate change: The Building Regulations (Approved Document L - 2006) already limit the effects of solar gains in Summer. With minimum standards for water efficiency at each level of the Code, and other measures in the Code, including better management of surface water run-off, our future housing stock will be better adapted to cope with the impacts of climate change which are already inevitable. 

- Reduced impact on the environment overall: Inclusion of measures which, for example, promote the use of less polluting materials, and encourage household recycling, will ensure that our future housing stock has fewer negative impacts overall on the environment.

Green infrastructure function
Trapping air pollutants; Water supply; Pollutant removal from soil/water
Green infrastructure benefits
Climate change adaptation and mitigation; Flood alleviation and water management

The option of installing soakaways will gain points under the Code.

Surface water management - this may mean the provision of soakaways and areas of porous paving;

Green infrastructure function
Water interception; Water infiltration; Flow reduction through surface roughness
Green infrastructure benefits
Flood alleviation and water management
Green infrastructure type
Non-specific green infrastructure

Points can also be gained by assessing and minimising the ecological impact of the construction of the home.

Green infrastructure function
Timber production

Points are awarded for the following measures:

- Where at least 10% of total energy demand is supplied from local renewable or low carbon energy sources 

- The collection and reuse for rainwater 

- Using sustainably resourced building material 

- The use of SUDS 

- The use of natural daylight 

- Sound insulation 

- Protection or enhancement of ecological features

Green infrastructure function
Habitat for wildlife; Corridor for wildlife; Biofuels production; Water interception; Water infiltration; Flow reduction through surface roughness
Green infrastructure benefits
Climate change adaptation and mitigation; Flood alleviation and water management; Land and biodiversity
Green infrastructure type
Non-specific green infrastructure; Trees
Document Analysis

Complete

Level of document
Local
Geographical area to which document refers
United Kingdom
Status of document
Statutory approved
Evidence type
Statutory document
Influence scale
Medium
Supportive of green infrastructure scale
General greenspace reference - very supportive
Is 'green infrastructure' mentioned?
No
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