April 2006
Part L revised and now concentrates on carbon emissions. Buildings have to be constructed, insulated, have appliances installed, and lighting systems for low energy usage
The Merton Rule building up to 2010
Each borough council has the onus of developing and implementing a planning policy that enforces the use of renewable energy for a percentage of the developments energy consumption. First implemented by The Borough of Merton in that 10% of the developments energy consumption had to come from a renewable source. This has now been implemented by - or a policy on renewable energy is in the process of being developed - in 150 borough councils across the UK. The Merton Rule link gives a map of these councils. Aimed at driving house building to the extra 25% carbon reduction by 2010
The Code For Sustainable Homes "zero carbon" 2016
The code has replaced the old Ecohomes criteria but is still a point scoring system and a grading device to estimate how sustainable a development is. The code aims to push house building towards the "zero carbon" target in 2016. Again at planning stage some borough councils are asking developments to reach a certain level on the code already.