The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also published yesterday the consultation on the Code for Sustainable Homes. The current proposal is for the Code to have five levels:

• A base level that meets the minimum standard in each of six essential elements – energy efficiency (for which the minimum standard would be the same requirements as Part L1 of the Building Regulations), water efficiency, surface water management, site waste management, household waste management, and use of materials.
• Three further levels that deliver all of the minimum standards and additional levels of sustainability either by meeting higher standards in some of the essential elements, or by offering some of the “optional elements” detailed in the Code – “Lifetime Homes”, daylighting, sound proofing, external private space, security and a homer user guide.
• A level which delivers 80% or more of the Code.
• The consultation proposes that a points system should be used to score the extent to which homes comply with the Code, with the minimum number of points required to meet the minimum standard set at 30 points, and the maximum (100% compliant with the Code) set to 100. Thresholds are proposed for the intermediate levels. However, no details are given of proposed points contributed by different technologies or solutions.

Download the Consultation

ODPM Press release