Written question asked by Dan Rogerson (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 16 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 June 2006. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Monday, 3 July 2006 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Thames Gateway

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what regulations are in place in relation to the building of new housing in the Thames Gateway to reduce (a) carbon levels, (b) waste production, (c) electricity use and (d) overall environmental impact; and how the regulations will be enforced.

Answer: Part L of the Building Regulations covers conservation of fuel and power as it relates to a building. Building Regulation standards for new housing in England and Wales have been improved by 40 per cent. since early 2002. It covers all energy used for space heating and hot water.Part H of the Building Regulations covers drainage and waste disposal. It states that adequate provision shall be made for storage of solid waste. It does not cover reduction of waste.The Building Regulations do not cover carbon levels or general environmental impact.The Government are also introducing a new code for sustainable homes to go further than building regulations.The Government have announced a feasibility study into the extent to which we can facilitate the Thames Gateway becoming a low carbon development area within the next decade, with the ultimate goal of achieving zero carbon development area status. We envisage that the results of this work will inform future decisions about the Governments' wider approach to environmental standards within the Thames Gateway.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 79287; 448 c785-6W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Buildings Housing Regional planning and development Sustainable development Thames Gateway
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk