We must reduce the carbon footprint of construction. Currently 80 tonnes CO2 is embodied in a 2 bed house. The equivalent of 5 family cars or 24 flights to Hong Kong!
Instead, make housing our carbon sink. Go back to wood! Cross Laminated timber CLT can build up to 18 storeys. Strong enough for any house or commercial buildings in Uttlesford! CLT would support a new forestry industry as well.
When buildings are demolished, the wood can be re-used, as in past centuries. A sustainable, circular model.
Other exciting materials: Green concretes include ashcrete, hemp crete, recycled plastic concrete. Some even absorb CO2 as they harden.
Green steel – made from recycled scrap, which we currently export, using electric arc furnaces.
Avoid bricks. They embody a high carbon cost in manufacture and transport.
We can’t dictate to developers, but by setting ambitious clear carbon targets, based on reaching carbon zero by 2030, we will be encouraging and giving permissions to developers who are willing to apply these technologies and stimulate new sustainable industries.
Reduced carbon footprint of operation = reduced costs for the householder.
Energy efficiency will make homes cheaper to run and end fuel poverty. We are burning £5 notes every day through poorly insulated roofs, walls and windows… especially those who can least afford it.
Heat exchange of water and ventilation technologies will get massively cheaper when they are fitted as standard.
Energy
Gas should no longer be supplied to new developments. It will be a redundant investment by 2030. New home owners and renters should become the champions of clean domestic energy.
Solar panels supplied as standard on homes and mandatory on all commercial builds.
Support community energy generation in all new developments, for example by installing ground source heat pumps on all playing fields and green spaces. This will enable developers to demonstrate lower operational carbon.
Community energy companies and co-operatives could enable shared ground source heat pumps systems in rural areas which are dependent on oil. It would solve the problem of frequent oil thefts!
Air conditioning should be achieved through natural cooling systems and brise soleil design… or deciduous trees!
Affordability
Green houses will be cheaper houses. We must stop talking about sustainability ‘premiums’. Low CO2 standards mean that householders will simply face the cost of retrofitting later.
Lower fuel bills will more than make up for initial investment.
Affordability and sustainability are very effectively provided by Modular homes, manufactured in local factories. £80,000 for a 2 bedroom house. A quarter of the average price in Uttlesford! Fully equipped, but excluding the cost of land or groundwork. They take just 3 days to build on site.
They could provide the basis of a dynamic council, privately rented and rent-to-buy market.
Retrofitting
Nothing must be built now that is soon going to need costly retrofitting.
Car charging for every home.
Multi generational housing for the young, the old, the divorced – we are not all nuclear families any more…