Asked by: Mary Creagh (Labour - Coventry East)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the tenth special report of the Environmental Audit Committee, published on 24 October 2019, on Heatwaves: adapting to climate change: Government Response to the Committee's ninth report, HC 826, what research his Department has commissioned on overheating in new homes; and what steps his Department is taking to tackle overheating in new homes.
Answered by Esther McVey
MHCLG commissioned a research project, completed in 2018, to investigate overheating in new homes. We are currently expanding on this initial piece of research and officials are consulting with industry experts. We will present our plans for tackling overheating in new homes as part of our forthcoming consultation into the energy efficiency and ventilation standards of the Building Regulations later this year.
Asked by: Mary Creagh (Labour - Coventry East)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to review Part G of the building regulations.
Answered by Esther McVey
The programme to review the suite of Approved Documents to the Building Regulations, including Approved Document G, will be announced later in the year.
Asked by: Mary Creagh (Labour - Coventry East)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to incorporate the promotion of green infrastructure for (a) newbuilds and (b) estate regeneration into national planning policy guidance.
Answered by Esther McVey
Environmental protection and enhancement is at the heart of the National Planning Policy Framework, which is a material consideration for all new development and regeneration schemes where planning permission is required. The Framework and its accompanying planning practice guidance provide clear expectations on enhancing the natural environment and providing access to open space, whether through safeguarding existing habitats and facilities or by making new provision where appropriate (including net gains for biodiversity).
Asked by: Mary Creagh (Labour - Coventry East)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the tenth special report of the Environmental Audit Committee, published on 24 October 2018 on Heatwaves: adapting to climate change: Government Response to the Committee's ninth report, HC 826, whether his Department plans to conduct a consultation on reducing overheating risk in new homes.
Answered by Esther McVey
In the Government’s response to the Environmental Audit Committee’s enquiry into heatwaves we committed to consult on a method for reducing overheating risk in new homes. This will be part of the Government’s consultation on the energy efficiency and ventilation standards of the Building Regulations. We intend to consult on any proposed changes later this year.
Asked by: Mary Creagh (Labour - Coventry East)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Clean Growth Strategy, published in October 2017, what plans he has to (a) further review and (b) consult on changes to energy efficiency standards in Building Regulations.
Answered by Esther McVey
The Government’s target is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In support of this, and as committed to in the Clean Growth Strategy, we will consult later this year on amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations, which provide a minimum standard for improvement. This will include setting out further details on our plans to implement a Future Homes Standard by 2025 for new homes to have low carbon heat and world leading levels of energy efficiency, to create homes fit for the future, with low energy bills and better for the environment.
Asked by: Mary Creagh (Labour - Coventry East)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many in-flight files of EU legislation exist that effect the policy areas managed by his Department; and which in-flight files of EU legislation his Department intends to implement in UK law.
Answered by Jake Berry
The Official Journal of the European Union publishes upcoming EU legislation for implementation. This is publicly available online at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/oj/direct-access.html.
During the time-limited implementation period, EU law will continue to apply in the UK subject to the terms set out in the Withdrawal Agreement. After the implementation period, all laws in the UK will be passed by our elected representatives in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London. The Political Declaration recognises that the UK may choose to align with the EU’s rules in relevant areas to facilitate trade in goods or security cooperation.