In May 2011, Sustainability labelling was introduced [8] to Scottish Building standards, it being the Scottish version of England Wales’ Code For Sustainable Homes. The labelling is split into 6 categories again, named after precious metals, the highest level being platinum which is equal to Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. These new standards have ended the use of non-governmental labelling in Scotland like the BREEAM scheme and the introduction of the labelling was also to show how companies must develop their building techniques and warn everyone of the future cost of zero carbon building. Previous changes to sustainability standards in 2012 caused outrage among the Scottish building industry as the improvements in energy efficiency would ‘add a ‘carbon premium’ of up to £8,000 to the cost of building a house,’ [9] they would also reduce emissions by 30% compared to the 2007 standards. The further changes made the following year reduced carbon emissions from heating, hot water and lighting by 100%. [10]
One Scottish architectural practice has developed a Passive House design that performs at the Gold level of the Section 7 labelling [11]. The high levels of sustainability are achieved by extensive insulation, increased air tightness, triple glazing and renewable energy generation. These Passive houses are the most viable way achieving ‘zero-carbon’ status according to the architects.
After thoroughly researching the planning policies and regulations of both devolved nations I have noticed many similarities and differences. Firstly, the categorising of energy efficiency is different, Wales the Code for Sustainable Homes is used, a 6 level rating system that takes into account carbon and energy emissions, water run- off, materials used in the build, waste, pollution, wellbeing, management and the effects on the ecology [12]. In Scotland, labelling is used of six levels form Bronze to Platinum, the label of every new build is judged on resource use (energy, water heating and emissions), adaptability and occupant well being (noise, natural light and security). The coding is very similar, however the Scottish ‘adaptability’ aspect addresses the issue of the lifespan of the home. In Wales all new homes must meet Level 3 of the CSH which is estimated to add between £2000 and £3000 [13] to the cost of building each home, depending on the size. Scottish homes must meet the 2010 standards, which is equal to the Bronze level of the labelling.
When searching for examples of sustainable projects in Wales and Scotland, I found many builds were improving energy efficiency by building to Passive House principles, where the house is almost air tight by use of extensive insulation. One example of this technique in Wales is the plans for an eco-hamlet in Neath, South Wales. A collaboration between the architects of BedZed in South London and the Prince’s Foundation for Building Communities [14] has created plans for the UK’s first and largest zero carbon housing development. In Scotland, architects Simon Winstanley offer a Passive House Design that requires 70 to 90% less energy [15] than a house built to Bronze standards. Unfortunately, those in the building industry have told the press that the new stricter regulations in Wales threaten the recovery of the property market after the recession, this is similar to the reaction of the Scottish building industry to the 2011 labelling where industry group Homes For Scotland stated that the industry faced ‘the worst crisis since World War 2' [16].
References:
[1] http://www.greenbuildingpress.co.uk/article.php?category_id=1&article_id=623
[2] http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/04/24/strict-sustainability-regulations-hampering-welsh-housebuilding-estate-agents-claim-91466-30824394/
[3] http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2012/04/24/strict-sustainability-regulations-hampering-welsh-housebuilding-estate-agents-claim-91466-30824394/
[4] http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pre_budget_report/prebud_pbr06/report/prebud_pbr06_repindex.cfm
[5] http://m.building.co.uk/prince-and-architects-unite-to-tackle-zero-carbon-housing/5032357.article
[6]
[7]
[8] http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Building/Building-standards/about/bsdsustain
[9]http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=17907&title=Scottish+sustainability+standards+anger+building+industry
[10] http://www.55northarchitecture.com/?p=259
[11] http://www.candwarch.co.uk/projects/low_energy_houses/zero-carbon-homes.shtml
[12]
[13]
[14] http://m.building.co.uk/prince-and-architects-unite-to-tackle-zero-carbon-housing/5032357.article
[15] http://www.candwarch.co.uk/projects/low_energy_houses/zero-carbon-homes.shtml
[16]http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=17907&title=Scottish+sustainability+standards+anger+building+industry
In response to my first question on the effect of the change in regulations in 2010, Mr Harland stated that very little changed in plans submitted for approval as many new homes were already built close to Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes prior to 2010. However, he also added that more ‘eco features’ have been noticed in builds increasingly including rainwater harvesting systems and bike storage that add to the CSH score for each house fairly inexpensively. This shows the improved awareness of the need for such sustainable technologies in housing, though in a fairly cynical way as they are added in the cheapest ways possible. This concurs with my previous research that the building industry’s feelings towards the Code for Sustainable Homes and the 2010 regulation changes are hostile.
From my interview I also found that the majority of builds meet between Levels 3 and 4 of the code as most buildings only just meet the requirements in order to save money on the cost of each unit. These are usually plans from large scale developers, although more often now some developers are building ‘eco’ homes that cater for the sustainably conscious market. Also, smaller private builds are more aware of sustainable technologies and often meet levels 5 and 6 of the CSH. This has shown me that more commercial architects and planners are not focused on the sustainable targets of the country or even the build; however some outlying builds go beyond the regulations.
My third question asked of Mr Harland’s opinion of the Welsh Government’s aim for all new homes to be built to zero carbon standards by 2013. His response was that the plans are too ambitious, especially as the development of sustainable technologies needed to make the target affordable is slow. This shows how the building industry are not very aware of the targets, or not acknowledging the target as they are not preparing techniques and systems necessary to reach such high sustainability parameters.
In response to ‘How do you think Welsh building policy compares to the rest of the UK?’ he said that although the targets for changes in regulations are ahead compared to Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, the regulations at the moment and the progress of low carbon development sand eco technologies are on a par with the rest of the UK and many other Western countries and the USA. This might suggest that the aspiration for 2013 may be acting as a façade for the real performance of the building industry in terms of sustainability as the advancements of methods is not on course to reach the high aspirations of the Government.
Mr Harland’s reply to my fifth question was one that contrasted with my research, he stated that the change in building regulations in 2010 has hindered some recovery of the property market from the market crash, however it would have little effect as the cost of the improvements needed to attain to level 3 of the CSH is frequently no more than 5% of the overall build cost, for larger builds, it is even smaller. This tells me that the reported thwarting of the market by stricter regulations is even more exaggerated than I first thought, however the articles I have read in my research reporting this problem were from the larger cities of Wales. The effect on the property market may be less severe in the more rural county of Conwy as there are less large-scale developers.
Finally, I asked if the method of building with Passive house systems was an effective way of achieving higher levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes. He replied that for the few ‘eco’ developers and architects and self-builders it is a more economical way of attaining ‘zero-carbon’ status and therefore favoured by them. This shows me again that economical factors take precedence over sustainability concerns, however this is understandable for a competitive market, on the other hand I am surprised by the architectural eco practices that are still more concerned with the cost rather than exploring new techniques that if given more credence would also become cheaper.
I think that Mr Harland is a fairly reliable source as he only oversees planning applications from developers and self builders and therefore does not have a vested interest in its success. Although he does work for the government, he does not worry about criticising a nationwide target, as everyone is entitled to an opinion.
When comparing building policies in Wales with those in practice in Scotland, the Welsh Assembly Government has much more aspiring targets as they have ruled that all new builds in 2013 must be built to zero carbon standards, in Scotland however, have aimed for this to be achieved by 2016, like England. It also showed me that the regulations used in Wales, the Code for Sustainable Homes is stricter than the labelling used in Scotland, as the highest level of the labelling, Platinum, is only equal to level 5 of the CSH. This shows that level 6 homes, classed as ‘zero-carbon’ in Wales are more sustainable than the homes classed as ‘zero-carbon’ in Scotland.
My primary research showed me that although the zero-carbon aspirations set by the Welsh Assembly Government are more ambitious than Scotland and have gained much press attention for being so, they development of eco technologies and methods of building are similar to those in Scotland. This information was revealed in the interview after research from the internet misguided me with statements of impressive targets for all new builds to be built to zero carbon standards by 2013 and information about leading zero carbon development in Wales. This shows me that Wales and Scotland are not dissimilar in the effectiveness of their building policies.
After conducting my research I found that the techniques used to achieve lower levels of carbon consumption, higher levels of the CSH and labelling, are alike, the most popular method being passive house principles. The choice to use this method is based on finding the most economical way of building low carbon homes. This conclusion can expand to the entirety of my investigation as overall, I have found that though the building policies are slightly different, the substance behind them, what is being built and to what standard, is almost identical, the reason being money.
It was fairly easy to decide on a title as I knew I wanted to base my investigation around the building industry due to my interest in architecture, also I am going to the Planning Department of Conwy Council for Work Experience as part of my Welsh Baccalaureate which gave me the idea to look at the foundations for all building constructed today, planning policies. I think I chose a realistic title as it gave me a lot of room to look at different aspects of the effectiveness of building regulations. It was easy to find sources as there were a lot of aspects of building regulations that I could look at. There was a lot of information available on the Internet; however I could not find any books or magazine articles about the subject.
I think my primary research went well, although I think I could have asked more questions in detail about sustainable projects and zero carbon development. However, I think the responses to my question cast attention on other sides to the topics I had been researching. I did not have any difficulty using the software on the computer, as I regularly use the Microsoft programs I utilized as part of this investigation. If I were to repeat this I might opt to use a questionnaire as my primary research as then I would be able to use Excel and graphs to include in my investigation, which may make it more visually appealing. I also have not struggled with completing the work on time due to the planning time sheet that allowed me to set my own targets for each week, I also had a lot of guidance form my Welsh Bac teachers who told me what had to be done before I began planning. I think some weeks I did not stick to my time plan completely, and if I were to do another investigation, I would do, however, I have still completed the work with ample time.
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jed3636 (student)
