SOLIHULL MP BACKS GREEN HOUSING CAMPAIGN

8.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 1st Apr 2008

Solihull's MP Lorely Burt has pledged her support for a campaign calling for all new homes to meet higher environmental standards.

The National Housing Federation's 'Green Homes Now!' campaign highlights inconsistencies in new building rules which mean that from 1 April private developers will be able to build to lower environmental standards than social housing providers.

The Federation fears this will mean millions of tonnes of unnecessary carbon emissions emitted over the lifetime of the new homes and will also lead to higher fuel bills for residents.

Under the new Code for Sustainable Homes, social housing will have to cut carbon emissions by 25 percent in all new homes, but private developers are not obliged to make the same reductions until 2010. They will then be working to a slower timetable than the housing associations as the sector moves towards zero carbon housing by 2016.

The 'Green Homes Now!' campaign calls on the government to review its carbon cutting timetable for housing and bring private developers into line with housing associations as soon as possible.

An Early Day Motion has now been tabled in the House of Commons to bring the matter to the attention of the government, backed by Lorely Burt and over 60 further MPs from across the political divide.

Commenting on the campaign, Lorely Burt MP said:

"I welcome the introduction of higher environmental standards for new homes, but tackling climate change needs commitment across the board. We can't approach this with a 'one rule for some, one rule for others' attitude."

"In addition to the environmental benefits of better housing, a well insulated, energy efficient home can also cut fuel bills substantially. This is particularly important for those on fixed incomes such as pensioners."

"Environmentally friendly houses should be the norm rather than the exception."

National Housing Federation Chief Executive David Orr added:

"I'm very pleased Lorely Burt MP and so many others have backed our campaign."

"Private developers need to be brought into line with housing associations and asked to cut emissions sooner rather than later."