The
Government Is committed to tackling climate change by reducing greenhouse
gas emissions. At the same time it has just launched two consultation documents
that propose large numbers of new buildings which are under no obligation to
be built to the highest environmental standards.
The
documents - The Code for Sustainable Homes and Planning Policy
Statement 3 (Housing) mean local communities will see:
·
Huge
housing growth built to only minimum environmental building
standards.
·
Land being built on without
proper community consultation.
Our Big
Ask campaign asks MPs to support year on year cuts in the polluting greenhouse
gases to address the urgent threat of climate change.
But
policies like the proposed housing plans and standards will directly
undermine efforts to fight climate change.
If you
agree please go to www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/
to email your MP and ask them to raise this issue with the relevant Minister on
your behalf. Or you can send a
letter: suggested text below (can be altered)
I am
writing to you because I am deeply concerned by the recent announcement by the
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the Code for Sustainable Homes and
Planning Policy Statement 3 (Housing).
The
proposed draft of the Code is inadequate, particularly regarding climate
change. For energy use, the Code's
minimum standard does not even go beyond the new building regulations - despite
the fact that far higher standards are technically possible. In addition, it is very worrying that
the Code for Sustainable Homes has been reduced from all buildings to only new
domestic dwellings, and remains voluntary for all private sector housing.
The Code
as it stands will lock us into polluting lifestyles, which is incompatible with
the UK's commitment to tackle climate change.
At the
same time the Government is proposing in Planning Policy Statement 3 to build
large numbers of new homes. It is
unlikely these homes will be built to good environmental standards because
Planning Policy Statement 3 only calls for voluntary use of the Code. In addition it is proposed that local
communities will not be properly consulted by calling on Local Authorities to
look favourably upon development applications on sites not allocated in the
Local Development Framework.
I am not
against development, but I am against policies that undermine effective action
on climate change, and erode citizens' rights.
I would
be grateful if you could raise my concerns with the relevant Ministers in the
Office for the Deputy Prime Minister with the utmost urgency.
For
further information see “Delivering Sustainable Housing – a briefing note for
MPs” which is available to download from the FoE website (as above). There will
be copies available at the February meeting.
** Deadline end of February 2006 **