Thu 15 May 2008
Small site zero-carbon exemption is just another tax, says industry
Exempting smaller housebuilders from building properties to meet Level Six of the Code for Sustainable Homes in favour of paying a levy to reduce carbon emissions in existing buildings is unworkable, says Norwich-based builder Ron Williamson Properties.The UK Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Task Group Report argues that small sites aren’t large enough to make combined heat and power systems work, and have no scope for other forms of renewable energy generation. But the exemption represents little more than another tax, and one that will see smaller housebuilders continuing to struggle to meet the current building regulations, says Ron Beattie, the firm’s managing director.
“The real issue here is that homebuyers won’t meet the extra costs, and aren’t prepared to pay a premium so homes can achieve Level Six of the Code for Sustainable Homes,” says Beattie, the firm’s managing director who says his Ecostessey project would be the UK’s first zero-carbon housing project, were it not for the Treasury’s exemption of offsite renewable energy from the definition of zero-carbon.”
“The figure which suggests that between ten and 80 per cent of new homes won’t be able to meet the current definition is rubbish, as it’s more like 100 per cent – no such home has yet been built to the Treasury’s criteria. We’ve all obviously got to do our bit to combat climate change, but this option will definitely make green building remain unattractive to smaller firms.”
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