Stricter sustainability regs agreed

It has been a source of puzzlement to me that in developing the new Code for Sustainable Homes, the ODPM has found itself arguing for lower standards while the building industry, the environmental lobby and just about everyone else has been arguing for higher standards. But finally whatever illogical brain in Whitehall that's behind all this has seen sense and the ODPM have announced that they will be including tougher standards.

All for the best, although the debate over it was really necessary to replace the Ecohomes rating with a new code will continue. The new code will be mandatory for all publicly-funded homes, i.e. most social housing.