Welsh given powers to enforce energy efficiency

The Westminster Parliament has agreed to transfer powers over building regulations to the assembly government.

This will give the Welsh government greater control over the way buildings are built, which it says will allow it to ensure they are more energy efficient and sustainable.

Environment minister Jane Davidson said: ‘These powers will allow the Welsh Assembly Government to make building regulations here in Wales.

‘They will mean we can set the agenda for new buildings, making them more energy efficient and sustainable.

‘This will help homeowners and tenants across Wales to keep their energy costs down and also contribute towards our target of reducing carbon emissions by 3 per cent a year from 2011, enabling an 80 per cent reduction before 2050.’

The Queen approved the order transferring the powers last week, and it will come into force from 31 December 2011.

It will shift executive functions in the Building Act 1984 and associated functions in the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004 and the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 from the secretary of state for Wales to Welsh ministers in respect of buildings in Wales.

Ms Davidson said there would be consultations on any proposed changes to building regulations, and assessments made of the costs and benefits and impact on other policy commitments.

The Welsh Assembly Government has an energy efficiency aspiration for all new buildings to be zero carbon.

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