Cross-party inquiry calls for housing and water reform

A cross-party inquiry, published today by Policy Connect and the Westminster Sustainable Business Forum, has urged the government to establish a brand new ‘Bricks and Water’ Sustainability Code for all new build homes to alleviate flood risk and chronic water shortages.

According to the Westminster Sustainable Business Forum (WSBF), the proposed sustainability code would implement a “fairer, tougher and simpler” planning framework, offering the kind of consistency housebuilders have long called for. Crucially, the framework would reflect industry best practice and support developers, large and small, to achieve the very highest water efficiency and flood resilience standards.

WSBF research indicates that 4.48% of all homes in England are at risk of flooding. Climate change means that the number of homes at risk could rise to 2.5 million by 2050, while the cost to the UK taxpayer already amounts to over £1Bn each year. And yet, at the same time there is a genuine risk of water shortage. England will need a further four billion litres of water every day by 2050, with projected water demand shortfalls of 22%.

“Building the number of homes we need has become a pressing issue – we haven’t built enough in this country for a long time,” said report co-chairs Angela Smith MP and Baroness McIntosh. “As we increase the number of new homes, we must manage water sustainably and efficiently on a catchment-scale.

“WSBF’s in-depth year-long inquiry into housing, water and planning policy strongly concludes that the government needs to act now to improve guidance and standards for the houses that being built. Water is a precious resource and we must use it wisely. The government needs to ensure we are building the green, water-efficient, flood-resilient communities that will our children and grandchildren deserve.”

Meanwhile, the report’s headline sponsor, Anglian Water, added: “It has never been more important for government, house builders and water companies to work together to promote and deliver water efficiency in the home.

“New build homes present an unrivalled opportunity when it comes to making sure that new communities are using water as efficiently as possible, with design standards and labelling offering great water saving potential. Collaboration between government, planners, developers and water companies is essential if we are to meet this goal and we are ready to play our part.”

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