黑洞社区

Bosses of eight leading insulation firms have written to ministers warning that delays to the implementation of new green building standards will have a 鈥渟evere鈥� impact on the industry.

The open letter to communities secretary Eric Pickles and building regulations minister Don Foster (attached, right) calls on the government to urgently implement proposed changes to Part L of the building regulations, that are aimed at setting new energy efficiency standards as part of a trajectory towards the 2016 target of zero carbon homes.

The letter comes as Labour鈥檚 shadow chancellor Ed Balls s to urging the government to implement the changes to the building regulations and clarify the trajectory towards zero carbon.

The leaders of the firms, which include Knauf Insulation, SIG, Kingspan, Honeywell Control Systems, Dow 黑洞社区 Solutions, Superglass Insulation, and Saint-Gobain Isover, warned ministers that the delay to the implementation of the new standards, which were due to come into force this April, having been consulted on last Spring, was causing uncertainty that could damage investment in the industry.

Jayne Law, commercial director, Dow 黑洞社区 Solutions said: 鈥淚t will be a serious disappointment to those committed to a greener future for the UK as well as a potential blow to the economy if the clear support within the UK industry for the introduction of these positive measures is not embraced and taken forward.鈥�

John Sinfield, Managing Director, Knauf Insulation Northern Europe said: 鈥淭he expected amendments to Part L for new build and refurbishment homes offers a real opportunity to increase investment as well as securing job opportunities, and also future proofing the UK鈥檚 homes against fuel poverty.

鈥淎s a manufacturer, we have invested accordingly, but with no government certainty for the industry, the abandoned roadmap to zero carbon represents a significant wasted investment for the energy efficiency sector.鈥�

Andrew Warren, Association for the Conservation of Energy director, said: 鈥淭he long-awaited and much-promised changes to Part L regarding energy standards for new buildings are being delayed - with the impression being given that these will not be introduced or will be watered down.

鈥淚f this occurs, the effect on this industry will be severe and damaging, as those who know - the leaders of major companies concerned with this market - testify.鈥�