A stepping stone to the Future Homes Standard
The June 2022 changes were an interim step towards the Future Homes and Buildings Standards. They apply to building regulations, not planning, but they affect design from the start, including window sizes, orientation, plant space and parking layouts.
What each part requires
- Part L (energy): higher fabric and services standards. New homes must achieve around 31% lower carbon emissions than under the 2013 standard.
- Part O (overheating): limits on solar gain and requirements for removing excess heat in new homes. This often affects glazing and window opening design.
- Part S (EV charging): charge points for new homes with associated parking, and for some buildings undergoing major renovation.
- Part F (ventilation): updated ventilation standards, including for work to existing homes.
Planning and building regulations together
Designs approved at planning sometimes need changing to meet building regulations, especially Part O on glazing. Designing for both at the same time avoids having to go back to the council for amendments. See planning permission vs building regulations.
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Sources
This article is general information about planning in England at the date shown. It is not advice on any particular site, and the law and policy may have changed since. Please speak to us before relying on it.