A group of almost 250 industry leading organisations have joined forces to press for higher performance standards in new homes. In a significant demonstration of industry concern, they wrote collectively to the Government to express disappointment over the proposed Future Homes and Buildings Standard.
On 17 October, key representatives from the group met with Baroness Taylor, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), to discuss the Future Homes Standard (FHS). Jon Bootland, CEO of the Sustainable Development Foundation, together with the directors of Sustainable Buildings Alliance partners the Good Homes Alliance and the ASBP, were among those present.
At this meeting, the organisations reinforced their joint consultation response, supported by a diverse array of stakeholders ranging from developers and local authorities, to consultants and architects.
In response to the discussion with Baroness Taylor, a follow-up letter has now been sent, clarifying the key points raised and requesting a response. The letter reiterates the critical concerns shared by the industry about the proposed Future Homes Standard 2025, calling for a more ambitious approach that ensures new homes are built to higher standards of sustainability and energy efficiency. Signatories urge MHCLG to engage in substantive dialogue with industry stakeholders to set out future iterations of the standard and ensure its efficacy in advancing sustainability.