Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH)

• Posted by David Jones on 8th May ’09 at 10:24 BST
• 1 comment

Evans Jones now provides 'in house' assessment of new housing to ensure compliance with the Code For Sustainable Homes (CfSH).

This code impacts upon all new build residential development (Flats and Houses).

Since May 2008 all new homes built in England are required to have a mandatory rating of between 0 and 6. All new homes and flats built for Registered Social Landlords (affordable homes) are required to meet a minimum rating of Code Level 3.

The CfSH is completely separate from the building regulations. A building regulation compliant home would currently only achieve a 0 rating. A level 1 rating seeks a 10% improvement upon the building regulation carbon emissions standards plus compliance with all the mandatory requirements of the code, increasing progressively up to level 6 (A zero Carbon Home).

The Government remains committed to achieving level 6 for all new housing by 2016.

Andrew Hilton - Evans Jones LLP Head of Code Assessments confirms “Achieving ratings of level 1 or above requires careful consideration from the initial design stage. Currently many developers are attempting to retro convert completed design packages to meet the CfSH standards. Whilst this is possible in most cases, the cost of compliance increases considerably and in some cases it is necessary to redesign the houses and flats which can result in build programme delays. In cases where code compliance of 1 or higher is likely to be required it is essential that the designer works with a Stroma or BRE accredited code assessor to ensure that the design, siting and layout meets or exceeds the mandatory standards in the most cost efficient form. Our multi disciplinary approach (including in house Stroma registered Assessor) enables us to advise developers upon the most cost effective way of achieving the required code level.”

Local Authorities and Government Inspectors determining appeals are increasingly imposing CfSH requirements on open market schemes via the imposition of planning conditions upon planning consents. This is a trend we see continuing until higher mandatory coding is required for all new housing.

For further guidance on Code Assessment contact Andrew Hilton on 01242 531416 e-andrew.hilton@evansjones.co.uk