PROPERTY DEVELOPMEMT
HEACHAM, NORFOLK
PROJECTS - SUSTAINABLE NEW BUILD
There is a growing trend among new build development of no‑waste, low‑carbon materials, high insulation, solar-ready designs, wildlife-friendly features—targeting net‑zero in-use homes by 2030. A lot of houseuilders are now installing triple glazig, heat-recovery, and EV charging in new developments. We are always concious of improving our knowledge of building regualtions guidance to ensure we comply with the latest approved dcouemts that dictates heating in new homes, as we keep one eye on future trends in building and thermal efficiency.
In terms of future trends in this area balcony solar panels may soon be allowed for flats and rentals—a government plan aiming to triple UK solar capacity by 2030. Potential savings ~£500/year per household theguardian.com.
Barratt Homes plans to build London flats to Passivhaus standards, reducing emissions by ~92% and heating bills by ~60% through airtight design and heat pumps (source: thetimes.co.uk.) with smaller builders (like Greencore Homes) increasingly lead in embodied-carbon-free, net-zero projects—complementing larger developers’ effort.
The UK government (England & Wales) is consulting on major reforms to how EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates), DECs (Display Energy Certificates), and ACIRs (Air Conditioning Inspection Reports) work. One big proposed change is reducing the validity period of EPCs (currently 10 years), so that energy performance data is more up-to-date and reflects any improvements made to buildings. The government is also proposing to use multiple metrics for EPCs — not just a single “band” — so that performance is judged on things like the building fabric (insulation), heating system performance, and potentially “smart readiness.” Underpinning this reform is a plan to replace the current EPC methodology (SAP / RdSAP) with something called the Home Energy Model (HEM), with a methodology currently being developed and likely to come in during the second half of 2026. T
The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 came into force on 24 June 2024. These amendments modify the older 2012 regulations (“Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012”), updating the legal framework underpinning EPCs and how energy performance is regulated. Future Homes & Future Buildings Standards The UK is introducing stricter standards for new buildings: under the Future Homes Standard, new homes built from around 2025 will be required to produce significantly less CO₂ compared to current standards. Specifically, there is an “interim uplift” in building regulation standards: for non-domestic buildings, the new regulations mean a ~27% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to current rules. There is also a requirement to design new residential buildings to minimise overheating, and to improve ventilation.
Scotland is laying out new Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2025, which will come into force on 31 October 2026. These regulations reflect similar reforms to EPCs: updating how certificates are issued, what data they contain, and how they’re usedas prescribed by the Scottish Government
At the EU-Level a change to EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) is proposed. The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) (EU) entered into force on 28 May 2024. The directive’s aim is to increase renovation rates of buildings in the EU, decarbonise the building stock, and push for modernisation and digitalisation. A very important provision: phasing out financial incentives for new fossil-fuel boilers. According to the directive, Member States must stop providing incentives for new standalone fossil fuel boiler installations by 1 January 2025. It also increases emphasis on using renewable energy in buildings (e.g., solar), improving building envelopes (insulation, windows), and improving heating/cooling system efficiency.
Please feel free to contact us if you seek certifications like Passivhaus, Code Level 4/5, Zero Carbon Ready, or EPC A, and we can help with key systems: airtightness testing, MVHR installation, heat-pumps, PV+battery sets. We camabout biodiversity features (nesting boxes, green corridors). We can also assist in checking local planning support: some areas incentivize future‑ready green homes. Please let us know if you want more information on a specific project, certifications, or financing options and how our Planning Cosultancy ad Architectural Services can deliver sustainale home improvements.
