黑洞社区

The RICS has attacked the Budget鈥檚 green record saying it is 鈥渄isappointed鈥� by the watering down of zero carbon homes standards.

In the Treasury鈥檚 Plan for Growth, published alongside the Budget yesterday, the government announced that energy used by appliances in homes will not have to be generated from renewable sources, and the zero carbon definition will only cover heating, lighting and water when it comes into force in 2016. 

鈥淚t is disappointing that the government seems to have watered down the zero carbon homes proposals when there was strong support across a range of stakeholders for the previous proposals,鈥� the RICS said.

The institution also called for more powers to be given to the Green Investment Bank to be able to raise money, which it will not now be able to do until 2015.

鈥淚t is essential that the Green Investment Bank has backing from across government and a full range of powers to effectively support sustainable development,鈥� it said.

鈥淒espite this additional funding [拢2bn announced yesterday] the ability to borrow money based on deposits will be central to the operation of the bank and RICS is disappointed that it will not have these powers until 2015.鈥�

Yet the body said it generally welcomed the Budget鈥檚 emphasis on growth following last year鈥檚 spending cuts.

鈥淩ICS is pleased that the Chancellor has chosen to focus on the promotion of enduring growth and jobs for the future in the 2011 Budget following the measures set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review at the end of 2010.

鈥淭he focus on property and construction issues is particularly welcome and echoes RICS calls in its submission to the Treasury in January this year,鈥� it stated.