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Government needs joined-up plan for green houses, says FMB
18/11/09
Edited by Bob Witham. The government needs a "joined-up delivery plan" comprising a combination of planning reform, financial incentives for improving energy efficiency and skills training if the UK is to meet its target for cutting carbon emissions from residential property, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said.
It was responding to housing minister John Healey's proposals that home owners, developers and businesses should be allowed to install on-site wind turbines and air source heat pumps without the need for planning permission.
The FMB said while the change in itself is welcome, installing wind turbines would be too expensive for many home owners. Therefore, the government should replace these "piecemeal" initiatives with a comprehensive delivery plan for green houses.
In particular, FMB director of external affairs Brian Berry commented, ministers need to create financial incentives for making green home improvements, such as council tax rebates or VAT cuts, if they are serious about retrofitting all homes by 2030 and cutting carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
Last week, Mr. Healey called for home owners, developers, tenants and landlords to join a "national crusade" to tackle climate change.
