The future of zero carbon homes

Local decisions, local impact: UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) chairman Geoff Arnold comments on Grant Shapps zero carbon homes plan.

Timber frame construction gets a big boost this week with Housing Minister Grant Shapps' announcement.

Shapps confirmed that future Building Regulations will concentrate on getting the fabric of the building right; which is great news for timber frame.

The Minister is essentially saying that leaky, poorly built homes with fancy renewable energy systems will, in time, no longer be acceptable - the emphasis should be on putting the fabric first.

We only need to look at the social housing market to appreciate this point - social housing regularly achieves Code 4 and it's no surprise that these homes plus homes achieving Code levels 5 and 6 are timber frame.

"The future of house building is firmly in the hands of local decision making and local delivery and this is a very positive move.

It gives developers much greater flexibility to try and achieve the 2016 target.

It's all well and good central government setting the standards but it's a positive step to see government accept that delivery has to be led by local decision makers if zero carbon homes are to be a reality.

The priority now is for developers to get behind Shapps' vision - forget high-cost retrofits and inflexible design - the path is well and truly laid for timber frame.

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