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Net Zero: New Build Homes & Places
Net Zero: New Build Homes & Places
Have your say on how we can create better homes and places in the region.
Introduction
Our homes and the built environment around us are important for our long term health, our sense of community, adapting to climate change along with their important role in reducing emissions.
For example, when we prioritise good quality public spaces – such as following the design principle of ‘Start with the Park’ – more space is created for exercise, play and access to nature; plants and trees reduce the impact of heavy rain and extreme heat; and there is increased infrastructure to enable more walking and cycling, therefore providing more transport options to residents and reducing carbon emissions from car use.
Making sure our homes are energy efficient and well insulated is also part of the the challenge. We have the technology now to ensure all new homes are warm and its even possible to build 'no-bills' homes.
There is already good work happening in our region, but more action is needed to make sure we are producing homes and places that are fit for a healthy and sustainable future.
Below you will find a draft report, bringing together the themes, thoughts and existing research and informed by our Delivering Impact session on this topic, setting out actions we can take in the region to ensure that the new homes and communities we build are fit for the future.
Please read the report (or the summary in the box if you're pressed for time) and give us your views in the short survey below.
Read our draft Regional Climate Action Report
We have prepared a report (download it below) bringing in ideas and expertise from our commissioners, research, and experts who are tackling the problem across the country, in the region, and on the ground. You can watch the expert speaker session in the video at the foot of this page.
At this stage, the report might not give the full picture so we would really value your feedback. The ideas we are discussing affect everyone - we want to know what you think. Please give your responses in the survey below.
Key messages
The issue is a 'systems issue' meaning that lots of people are involved in delivering new homes and places. This includes local and planning authorities, developers, construction, banks & mortgage providers, and consumers. We have looked at what each of these groups need and can do to tackle the challenge.
In the report we suggest recommendations for the region. These recommendations answer some of the key questions that we think are holding us back from having better new build homes and places:
- How can we raise standards together across the region to make sure nowhere is left behind?
- How can planning authorities use existing told and policies to produce better developments now?
- How can we improve the skills and capacities of planning authorities to enable better developments?
- How can developers evolve their business models to enable better developments?
- How can the region ensure we have the skills in place to build high quality homes and places?
- How can we build a bridge between the shared long-term financial benefits of sustainable new builds and the short-term costs of constructing and buying homes?
- How do we drive demand for high quality homes and places to ensure the skills and supply chain can adapt?
What we would like to know
We would like your input to challenge and shape the ideas set out in this first draft.
We are keen to hear from experts on different aspects of new build development to ensure rigour in our interpretation of the science and social factors underpinning this paper.
We are equally keen to hear the views of people who live and work in Yorkshire and Humber to ensure our final position paper and actions address the needs of people and communities across the region.
Check out the following documents
Watch this video if you are interested in watching the full recording of the expert panel presentations on enabling better quality homes and places in the region Watching this video is optional and if you do not want to watch, simply click 'next' to submit your survey.
We heard from four expert speakers in our Delivering Impact Session on 1st February 2023, each presenting their perspectives on what needs to happen to enable better quality homes and places, and then discussed the opportunities and the actions we could take as a region.
- Celia Davis, Project and Policy Manager, Town, and Country Planning Association (TCPA)
- Martin Elliot, Head of Strategic Planning, Leeds City Council
- Sarah Lewis, Research and Policy Director, Passivhaus Trust
- Judith Atkinson, Strategic Director at Local Partnerships
- Sam Stacy, CEO of Stacx International
- Jonathan Wilson, Managing Director at Citu.
This engagement phase has finished
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