A brief summary of current government consultations of potential interest to RSN members. This is not intended as an exhaustive list of all relevant consultations.

→ Download a printable version of the Government Consultationst here

CURRENT CONSULTATIONS:

The Future Homes Standard: changes to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations for new dwellings – Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government

This consultation sets out government plans for the Future Homes Standard, including proposed options to increase the energy efficiency requirements for new homes in 2020. The Future Homes Standard will require new build homes to be future-proofed with low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency; it will be introduced by 2025.

This document is the first stage of a two-part consultation about proposed changes to the Building Regulations. It also covers the wider impacts of Part L for new homes, including changes to Part F (ventilation), its associated Approved Document guidance, airtightness and improving as-built performance of the constructed home.

This consultation closes on 10 January 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-future-homes-standard-changes-to-part-l-and-part-f-of-the-building-regulations-for-new-dwellings

The planning system for electricity storage: follow up consultation – Dept for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

In January 2019 government held a consultation on the treatment of electricity storage within the planning system.

Based on the responses and evidence received, they are now running a follow up consultation on proposals to carve out electricity storage, except pumped hydro, from the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime in England and Wales. This new consultation contains a summary of responses and the government’s response to the first consultation.

Under the proposals this type of storage would generally be consented by the relevant Local Planning Authority in England. Decisions for such projects of any size in Wales would generally fall to be consented by the relevant Local Planning Authority under the TCPA regime, whereas currently this is only the case for electricity storage (except pumped hydro) below 350MW.

The proposals outlined within this consultation apply to England and Wales only.

This consultation closes on 10 December 2019.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-planning-system-for-electricity-storage-follow-up-consultation

Non-domestic Private Rented Sector minimum energy efficiency standards: future trajectory to 2030 – Dept for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

The government has committed to support businesses to reduce their energy use by at least 20% by 2030.

This consultation seeks views on how best to improve the energy performance of non-domestic private rented buildings through tighter minimum energy standards. Acting now to set a clear long-term trajectory to 2030 is designed to provide time and certainty to non-domestic landlords, businesses and the energy efficiency market in delivering the energy savings to support a zero-carbon future.

This consultation closes on 7 January 2020.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/non-domestic-private-rented-sector-minimum-energy-efficiency-standards-future-trajectory-to-2030