RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:
“Labour’s commitments to tackle the lack of affordable housing and scrap permitted development rights – which allow developments to sidestep vital quality and sustainability standards – are encouraging, but their manifesto lacks clarity on how they plan to raise the quality of homes through the planning system as a whole.
We also welcome Labour’s fire safety commitments – fitting sprinklers in all high-rise council and housing association tower blocks and enforcing the removal of dangerous Grenfell style cladding. But all parties including Labour must urgently commit to comprehensive review of all of the UK’s building safety regulations. England’s rules lag shamefully behind those in other countries such as Wales and the USA, putting the public at risk.
Tackling the climate emergency in the built environment will be no easy feat. If Labour want to be successful in reducing energy consumption and creating a zero-carbon standard for new homes they should work with architects and other experts who have the skills, knowledge and evidence to ensure that new homes are greener, safer and better designed.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. For further press information contact: Abigail.Chiswell-White@riba.org or +44 (0) 20 7307 3811
2. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
