Loophole in ecotown plans

Homes in "ecotowns" could generate more pollution than most existing properties because of a loophole in the plans announced by ministers. As controversy over the plans for up to 10 new towns mounts, it has emerged that there is an escape clause in the building standards for the estimated 100,000 new flats and houses. Caroline Flint, the housing minister, has said all ecohomes will have to meet at least "code level 3" of the building regulations, which reduces the maximum carbon emissions from new homes by about one quarter compared to the current standard. However the level 3 rules allow developers who build homes with electric heating a higher cap on greenhouse gas emissions than if gas heating is used. The means money can be saved on the measures needed to reduce emissions, a loophole already being exploited according to... [read full story]