Zero carbon buildings are becoming a reality
The UK's buildings reputation is changing slowly as building regulations have gradually required ever higher energy efficiency standards. UK's building reputations used to be one of old, draughty and expensive to heat.
As of 2016, new homes are having to be built to "zero carbon" standards; they will need to be highly energy efficient.
At the University of Hertfordshire student accommodation was definitely not zero carbon; now with a new 2500 bed student village students get sustainable, well-designed buildings, containing light rooms, warm rooms and low running costs for the university.
A cutting-edge biomass gasification combined heat and power plant will very soon provide heat and power for the student village, ensuring carbon emissions are truly zero.
The £190 million development, built by developer Bouygues also has worked on other sustainability issues incorporating wildlife meadows, ponds, sustainable urban drainage systems and allotments.
Currently, the Government is proposing exemptions from zero carbon standards (e.g. for small developments) but, as we said in our 2014 Progress report, no rationale has been provided for this. Examples like the UoH development provide evidence that zero carbon is entirely feasible.