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Builders told ‘think green’ on new homes
 

by Vivienne Nicoll

DEVELOPERS hoping to cash in on the Commonwealth Games and Glasgow's housing boom are being warned to think green.

Over the next few years around 10,000 homes will be built in the East End alone, 1200 of them in the athletes' village.

Recently, the Scottish Government issued planning guidelines saying developments with more than two houses must ensure levels of greenhouse gas C02 being emitted from them are at least 15% below current standards.

Tomorrow, councillors are likely to agree to more action to cut the city's carbon footprint. They want new housing to be able to turn solar power into electricity and hot water.

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Developers will be asked to consider installing small-scale energy supplies such as mini wind turbines.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "We want large developments to be as energy efficient as possible builders should be looking at putting in local energy generation.

"Delivering energy on site will mean cheaper electricity."

George Ryan, the city council's executive committee member for development and regeneration, believes the regeneration plan for the East End are an ideal opportunity for the council to drive home its green message.

He said: "We have to build affordable housing for the people of the city but the most green and sustainable homes we can get."

Homes for Scotland has 135 members responsible for 95% of all new homes built. Its chief executive, Jonathan Fair, called Glasgow's approach "a small scale solution with often unproven and costly technologies".

He added: "The way for carbon emission reductions to be achieved on a large scale is by consistent implementation of national building standards."

Publication date 21/02/08

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