Returning today from a fact-finding mission to Europe with Housing Minister, Yvette Cooper, HBF’s Executive Chairman, Stewart Baseley, responds to the Minister’s call for UK homes to beat Scandinavian eco-standards:
"There is no doubt that climate change is a major issue for all of us and I am delighted that the Minister invited me to take part in her fact-finding visit to provide an industry perspective.
“The Minister's vision is challenging. It is vital therefore, if we are to move standards forward successfully, that we have both the right policy and regulatory framework, and ensure we involve all key parties in discussions on delivery. The policy and regulatory framework needs to support and encourage commercially viable innovation. We also need to involve local communities, the supply chain and energy providers if we are to be able to provide solutions that work for everyone.
“There is a major national requirement to increase housing supply and we must make this work for us in moving environmental standards forward. Coupling an improved supply of land for housing through the planning system with positive measures to support innovation is the best way to create a commercial climate that can underpin investment in innovation. For our part, we are also actively considering ways in which building regulations could be restructured and simplified to assist commercially viable advances. I very much look forward to discussing our thinking in this area further with the Minister."
Notes for Editors
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) is the principal trade federation for private sector home builders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. The HBF’s 300 member firms account for over 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national, household names through regionally based businesses to small local companies. www.hbf.co.uk
For further information on the Minister’s comments, call Simon Hailes, DCLG Press Office, T: 020 7944 4299
For media information, please contact:
Toby Orr
0207 421 6124
07736 175311
toby.orr@portlandpr.co.uk