Code for Sustainable
Homes
11th May 2010
Planning and Regeneration
Code for Sustainable Homes
Introduction to the Seminar
Ruth Bamford
Head of Planning and Regeneration
A Brief Introduction to the
Code
Matthew Weatherill
Building Control Surveyor
The Code – What is it?
• Assessment of the environmental and social
sustainability of new homes.
• National standard covering 9 key areas:
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Energy and CO2 emissions (36%)
Water use (9%)
Materials (7%)
Surface water run-off (2%)
Waste (6%)
Pollution (3%)
Health and well being (14%)
Management (10%)
Ecology (12%)
The Code – How is it Monitored?
• Administered (enforced) through the
planning (development control) process.
• Certificates are required in HIPs
• Produced By an Independently Accredited
Code Assessor (Accredited By BREEAM or
STROMA)
• Paid for by the applicant/developer
• Design Stage assessment
• Post Construction Review including site visit
and evidence gathering
The Code – Typical design
Features
Energy
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High levels of insulation
Low air permeability
Low carbon heat sources
such as ground/air source
heat pumps and wood
pellet boilers
Designs that reduce solar
overheating
MVHR
Solar water heating
Photovoltaic cells
Energy saving appliances
Home office provision
The Code – Typical design
Features
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Water Use
Rainwater harvesting
Greywater re-cycling
Water saving WC’s,
washbasins, washing
machines, dishwashers,
showers, smaller baths!
Materials
A-rated from BRE’s
green guide
Responsibly sourced
Re-cycled
The Code – Typical design
Features
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Surface water run-off
Rainwater harvesting
Attenuation systems
Soakaways (where
feasible)
SUDS
Waste
Space for recycling
facilities
Composting facilities
Construction site waste
management plan
Pollution
Avoiding GWP products
Reducing of NOx from
heating
The Code – Typical design
Features
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Health and Wellbeing
Good natural lighting
Sound insulation
Private space
Accessibility and
adaptability (lifetime
homes)
Management
Guidance for occupants
Security
Ecology
Impact on bio-diversity
Improving ecology of
site where possible
The Code - Levels
Level 0 –
• Nil Rated Certificate for HIPs
• Mandatory April 2008
• Energy and CO2 as Building Regulations
part L 2006 standards
Level 1 –
• Energy and CO2 10% improvement over
Building Regulations
• Water usage equal to part G 2010 standards
Level 2 –
• Energy and CO2 18% improvement over
Building Regulations
The Code - Levels
Level 3 –
• Likely to be mandatory
October 2010
• Many planning
departments already
asking for this level
including Redditch BC
• Energy and CO2 25%
improvement over 2006
Building Regulations;
equal to 2010 part L
standard?
• Water usage 12% less
than part G 2010
standards
The Code - Levels
Level 4 • Likely to be mandatory 2013
• Energy and CO2 44% improvement over
2006 Building Regulations
Level 5 • Energy and CO2 100% improvement over
2006 Building Regulations
Level 6 –
• Likely to be mandatory 2016
• “Zero Carbon”
• 33% improvement in water efficiency
The Code – where to find
more information
www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professiona
ls/buildingregs/sustainablehomes
www.stroma.com
www.breeam.org
www.communities.gov.uk/thecode
www.bre.co.uk/greenguide
The Code
Any Questions?