Rules to make construction more environmentally friendly have added about 拢2000 to the cost of each new home, research has found.

Part L of the 星空传媒 Regulations, updated in 2002, covers insulation, airtightness and double glazing.

The cost of complying with the rules can be even higher in large projects, construction consultant EC Harris said at the House Builders Federation conference on Tuesday.

Howard Hughes, group director of business development for Circle 33, said: 鈥淸The Part L costs] are something we don鈥檛 fully receive in grant. Costs should be taken account of in the grant regime and all too often these increases get submerged in other costs.

鈥淚t would be useful to have a supplement to take account of it.鈥�

He added that it would be useful for registered social landlords to be allowed to raise rents slightly.

Clive Clowes, assistant director of investment at the Housing Corporation, said the quango took account of the anticipated extra costs when the regulations were consulted on.

But he added: 鈥淣ext time there鈥檚 a bid round, if RSLs find costs are more than anticipated they could put in for extra grant and we will judge that on its merits against competing bids.鈥�

Source

Housing Today