Communities Minister Don Foster has announced proposals to 'simplify confusing housing standards'. The latest housing standards review consultation, is proving controversial in that it suggests getting rid of the Code for Sustainable Homes and using building regulations, or a new set of national standards, as the primary driver for improvement in homes’ green credentials. It als proposes changes to accessibility, space standards, security, water efficiency and energy efficiency, which would be managed through building regulations and planning regulations.
Foster said: 'Over 100 housing standards are currently available to councils to apply locally. The current mish-mash of standards means that from Allerdale in Cumbria to Zoar in Cornwall no same set of rules always applies – it’s confusing, bureaucratic and cannot be allowed to continue.'