Elected Member Briefing Note 2023, Issue 123
About this briefing note
Report by: Ben Wilson, Planning and Housing Strategy Manager
Date: 16 November 2023
Subject: Sustainable, Inclusive Homes: A Net Zero Carbon Design Guide
Responsible Officer: Campbell Hall, Affordable Housing Enabler, Communities
Details
Purpose
This briefing will update you on a Net Zero Carbon Design Guide for new housing that has been developed by Council officers.
Briefing Information
Perth & Kinross Council has developed a new 'Sustainable, Inclusive Homes' Design Guide which will help deliver aspects of our new Local Housing Strategy 2022-27.
The Local Housing Strategy (LHS) sets out what homes and communities should look like over the next five years across Perth and Kinross for all residents and communities.
The Design Guide supports the LHS vision of "Creating liveable and sustainable places which are well designed, safe, and connected".
The document outlines best practice in developing suitable, affordable and energy efficient housing design. The Guide incorporates a range of recommended features which will ensure new build homes can meet the individual needs of each household, and are well connected to local services, jobs, and communities.
PKC is committed to a sustainable future, and the Design Guide will ensure that new housing and retrofits adopt achieve the highest possible standards of energy efficiency, low carbon and Net Zero building design.
The Design Guide will ensure that the homes we are designing and building are of the highest quality, incorporating best practice design with low economical and operational costs enabling those who live in them to enjoy a high-quality home regardless of age, ability, health or tenure at an affordable price.
Who is the Design Guide for?
This document is intended for use by consultants, developers, contractors, housing professionals, RSL's and other affordable delivery partners involved in the design and construction process of affordable housing developments for Perth & Kinross Council.
By bringing together good practice, the guide outlines an exemplar minimum design standard with a highly sustainable approach for all new build affordable housing and neighbourhoods across Perth and Kinross
The national background
The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 sets legally binding targets for us to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with interim targets requiring a 75% reduction by 2030, and 90% by 2040. The Scottish Government has set out ambitious targets for emission reductions and energy strategy, along with proposed programmes and legislation to enable the delivery of these ambitions.
The Scottish Government's also recently published a national twenty-year vision for housing, Housing to 2040, which sets out the commitment to adapt and retrofit existing homes to improve their energy efficiency and decarbonise their heating, highlighting housing's contribution to ending climate change emissions.
If you would like any further information, please contact Ben Wilson by emailing BenWilson@pkc.gov.uk
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