Impending Changes - Building Regulations in Scotland

The Scottish Government has a declared objective to move towards challenging but realistic targets for energy performance with a view to matching, or least making a significant move towards, the most vigorous energy performance levels in Europe (which are in Scandinavia).

To that end, the Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change appointed a panel to advise on development of a low carbon building standards strategy. The panel reported in 2007 Its report (the Sullivan Report) made 56 recommendations to be considered by the Scottish Government.

Strongly influenced by the Sullivan Report, and with regard to the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 ,which among other things sets out targets for progressive reduction of carbon emission, the Scottish Government has begun to work towards a new generation of "low energy homes". There is also an ongoing process with reference to non-domestic properties, but these are seen to present different, and larger, challenges.

Again with reference to what is most likely to be achievable, the focus is on applying more demanding standards to new homes, rather than "retrofitting" existing buildings. (The Sullivan Report nevertheless recommended that practical performance standards for existing buildings should be "considered")

Section1 of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 provides that (my emphasis):

The Scottish Ministers may, for any of the purposes of- a) securing the health, safety, welfare and convenience of persons in or about buildings and of others who may be affected by buildings or matters connected with buildings, b) furthering the conservation of fuel and power, and c) furthering the achievement of sustainable development, make regulations ("building regulations") with respect to the design, construction, demolition and conversion of buildings and the provision of services, fittings and equipment in or in connection with buildings. The Scottish government wishes to have sustainability embedded in building regulations, rather than rely on voluntary codes of practice. The Scottish Building Standards Agency, which is responsible for building regulations, therefore is at the forefront of the Scottish Governments plans in this area. The Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2010 came into force from 1 October 2010. The amendments made changes to mandatory standards, including "raising the bar" for carbon emissions in relation to new houses. Technical manuals have been updated...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT