CIH Scotland warns against impact on housing delivery by Scottish Passivhaus standard

CIH Scotland has expressed concerns regarding the possible implications of implementing a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard for all new build homes, cautioning against its potential impact on housing delivery in the country.

The Scottish Government has made a commitment to adopt a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard for all new build homes. The first of two consultations, which just closed, aimed to outline the general principles for this Scottish standard, with a second consultation planned for the new year to delve into technical specifications.

The Passivhaus standard, originally developed in Germany, places emphasis on constructing buildings with minimal energy demand, thereby reducing emissions and ensuring lower fuel bills. While this standard is currently voluntary, there are instances of Passivhaus developments in both private and social housing sectors in Scotland. It is estimated that adhering to Passivhaus standards can increase construction costs by 4 to 8% per home.

The proposed timeline by the Scottish Government involves introducing a new voluntary equivalent standard starting from 2026, with mandatory implementation slated for 2028.

In response to the initial consultation, CIH Scotland has urged the government to recognize the “substantial housing pressures” prevalent across the country, especially concerning the timeliness of introducing the new standard.

Ashley Campbell, the policy and practice manager at CIH Scotland, remarked, “We wholeheartedly endorse efforts to enhance the quality of new homes and advocate for a unified standard across all housing tenures. It is imperative that all individuals, whether private tenants, social tenants, or homeowners, can anticipate the same high standards.”

However, Campbell highlighted significant apprehensions regarding the potential costs linked to meeting the new standard and the consequential impact on an industry that is already struggling to meet the demand for new homes.

She emphasised, “The Scottish Government has acknowledged a national housing emergency, attributing to noticeable housing pressures throughout the country. Recent homelessness figures indicate a rise in households seeking assistance, while statistics on new builds reflect a decline in housebuilding within both the private and social sectors. Inflationary expenses persist as a formidable challenge, compounded by budget cuts in affordable housing supply and instances of social landlords retracting from new developments.”

“We implore the Scottish Government to carefully consider the timing of any new standards that could potentially impede new housing delivery, or to provide assurances on how any additional development costs will be managed,” Campbell added.