Chancellor must go further on energy for new homes » Housing » 24dash.com

In response to today’s Budget announcement Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)[1] Chief Executive Gideon Amos said: "The Chancellor's commitment to consider taking the target for carbon emissions reductions from 60% to 80% is welcome, as is the Budget news that 70,000 new homes will now be accommodated on surplus public land in part through better long term planning[2]. This reinforces the Prime Minister's repeated commitment today to delivering three million homes. “

“New homes, however, must add something to the environmental as well as to the economic balance sheet - promises to increase renewable energy must include a feed-in tariff[3] that would guarantee a premium price for electricity to householders and businesses who generate their own energy. The feed-in tariff in Germany massively stimulated the market for renewables in the housing stock - it could and should do so in the UK."

The TCPA points out that a feed-in tariff provides incentives for developers and others to incorporate renewable features on new homes taking forward on site energy generation, a policy requirement in the new Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change. The feed-in tariff could also help to address fuel poverty if its benefits were targeted to those who most need access to cheap energy.

The TCPA also welcomes the extension of tax relief from contaminated to derelict land and the commitment to ensure all new buildings are zero carbon from 2019[4] as well as the relief from stamp duty being applied to zero carbon flats. As part of this the promise to define the proposed Building Regulations definition of zero carbon this year.

"Getting to grips with the zero carbon challenge will be needed soonest in the plans for new eco-towns due to be published in the near future." Added Mr Amos

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Contacts:

Kate Henderson, Communications Manager
Tel: 020 7930 8903/ 07915 057769
Email: kate.henderson@tcpa.org.uk

Notes to Editors
1. The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is an independent campaigning charity calling for more integrated planning based on the principles of accessibility, sustainability, diversity, and community cohesion. The TCPA puts social justice and the environment at the heart of the debate about planning policy, housing and energy supply. We inspire government, industry and campaigners to take a fresh perspective on major issues including climate change and regeneration. www.tcpa.org.uk
2. Budget 2008 report: ‘…the Budget announces that the Government has firmly identified sites on central government surplus land with the potential for 70,000 new homes.’ Section 5.39 Releasing Land for Development, page 86
3. Budget 2008 report ‘…In the summer, the Government will launch a full consultation on what more the UK should do to increase renewable energy use and meet it’s share of the EU target. The Government will also consult on the most appropriate support mechanism for microgeneration at individual and community level, including the option of a feed-in tariff.’ Section 6.43 Renewables, page 100
4. Budget 2008 Press Notice 01: ‘…an ambition for all new non-domestic buildings to be zero carbon from 2019 with consultations on the timeline and its feasibility and new public sector buildings from 2018’