I cannot disagree more strongly with the media’s dismissal of the government’s zero-carbon target for new housing.

Yes, the zero-carbon target is hugely ambitious, but to write it off as a failure on the basis that only 15 homes so far meet the standard (a full eight years ahead of schedule) is plain daft.

Perhaps the target will not be met – but the really significant thing is the galvanizing effect it has had on the housebuilding industry. The whole supply chain has been driven to work together to consider radical solutions to the design of sustainable housing and I think this is a great thing.

For too long we continued to accept standard house designs and methods of building – anything that injects a little imagination and innovation into this conservative industry is to be welcomed.

Mark Oliver, managing director, H + H UK

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