New competition to create low-carbon housing

Housing minister Christopher Pincher has launched a competition to bring forward ideas on low-carbon housing. 

Homes are currently responsible for 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions, in a bid to reduce these numbers, the government launched the competition to place energy efficiency ‘at the forefront of new home design.’

This competition is in line with the government’s recent consultation which requires all new homes built from 2025 to have 80% fewer carbon emissions.

Small businesses, designers and manufacturers are invited to come forward with ideas for the new low-carbon homes which must meet the highest standards of design.

The plans must have a low environmental impact, with construction techniques to deliver net-zero emissions, they must promote health and wellbeing through access to green space, and they must be deliverable on a scale that can be rolled out across the country.

Entries will be judged by a panel to produce a shortlist of six applicants.

All six entries will then receive £40,000 of funding to help them deliver their plans and three finalists will have the opportunity to partner with developers to deliver homes on a site owned by Homes England.

Housing minister Christopher Pincher said: ‘This competition will harness all that technology has to offer to bring in a housing revolution: new low carbon homes that deliver low energy bills and independent living for older generations.

‘The new gold standard of the building will have the future in mind – not just in the United Kingdom, but worldwide.’

Minister for clean growth and energy Kwasi Kwarteng said: ‘Levelling up environmental standards in new housing across the country is essential to end our contribution to climate change.

‘The government is also investing over £6bn to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes, and during this year we plan to go further to decarbonise buildings, with low carbon heating central to that.’

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