Housebuilders have been accused of cynically hurrying to get new home construction projects started so that the structures do not have to be built according to new regulations that are designed to increase energy efficiency.
Construction Enquirer reports that construction materials suppliers have been seeing a sudden surge in demand for items associated with foundation work activity.
New building regulations covering energy performance were introduced in June this year, but the stricter part L requirements will not be applied to housebuilders before June 2023. This has created a window of opportunity it appears some are seeking to exploit by getting homes started sooner.
A source told the Enquirer: “House builders are quite blatantly focusing on foundations before next summer’s deadline for builds to reduce carbon emissions by 31 per cent.” They named Bellway Homes as a case in point, with a site manager admitting work there was being done to beat the deadline.
Building compliance companies will be very busy enforcing the new regulations now when construction work is completed and this will also apply once houses are included as well, which is something many are clearly trying to dodge.
This approach by a number of construction firms has been cited by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) in its latest product availability report, which has shown a surge in purchases of aircrete foundation blocks. Normally this is followed 4-6 weeks later by similar levels of above ground block sales, but not this time.
Explaining this lack of correlation, CLC chief executive John Newcombe said: “The increased below ground activity is likely due to builders seeking to get new starts registered before changes in Part L regulations next June.”
The new part L regulations were announced by the government in December 2021 and they will apply not only to new build homes, but also to extensions on existing properties.
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