Code for Sustainable Homes / BREEAM Assessments
RPS is a licensed Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM assessor organisation with a number of qualified assessors. Our practical experience enables us to work with developers, housing associations, architects and design teams to blend the requirements of the assessment schemes with practical and cost effective solutions.
The Code for Sustainable Homes is a national scheme used to assess the sustainability of new housing. A rating against the Code has been mandatory for all new housing since May 2008. All developers must provide homebuyers with clear information about the sustainability rating of the dwelling (as part of the Home Information Pack), and many local authorities now require the achievement of a minimum rating under the planning system.
For non-residential property, the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) provides an objective scheme against which to assess sustainability credentials. Whilst the scheme is currently not mandatory, achievement of a particular rating against the scheme is increasingly required as a condition of planning.
Both of these schemes consider a range of factors to assess a new building or development, including energy and water use, ecology, pollution, waste and health and wellbeing. Our input typically includes:
Achieving a specific rating under these schemes cost-effectively is not a trivial matter. Aspects such as the orientation of a building, the design, the materials used, and the quality of construction are all critical. RPS advises on the optimum strategies to achieve a desired rating at all stages of a development, and so reduce the risk inherent in meeting the planning requirements.
Predictive Assessments - undertaken during the early design phase. Whilst not a formal requirement, this is beneficial in understanding costs and design implications, and helping to plan for the requirements well in advance of construction. The assessment can support planning applications by demonstrating commitment to sustainable development.
Formal Assessment - usually undertaken after the planning process, requiring a formal report to be submitted to the Building Research Establishment (BRE).
Post Completion Review - undertaken once the construction has been completed, to ensure the development has been built as designed. A report is submitted to the BRE and a final rating certificate provided.
Because RPS has an extensive network of offices with integrated planning, design and M&E capabilities, we are uniquely placed to advise clients on the local application of the schemes. Together with our experience and strong capabilities in terms of onsite renewable energy, this ensures our advice is both practical and sensitive to the regional variations of priorities and approaches.