Jan 8 2006
Construct Wales, in association with BRE Wales, will be holding two free, half-day events on Construction Sustainability - BREEAM and EcoHomes - for audiences in both North and South Wales.
The two events for those involved in planning and construction processes in Wales, will be held on January 26 and 27 at St Asaph and Port Talbot respectively.
BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) and EcoHomes are the world's most widely used means of reviewing and improving the environmental performance of buildings. Since its launch in 1990, BREEAM has been increasingly accepted in the UK construction and property sectors as offering best practice in environmental design and management. EcoHomes is a specifically tailored version of BREEAM for dwellings, and provides an authoritative rating for new and converted or renovated homes.
From 1 May the Welsh Assembly will specify that all social housing in Wales must achieve the BRE EcoHomes 'good' standard.
In addition, the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) is requesting that all developments it supports conform to the BREEAM 'very good' standard for commercial buildings, or BRE EcoHomes 'very good' standard for residential developments. However, for high profile/high value developments and those on previously used land, 'excellent' ratings will be required.
Nick Tune, Director of BRE Wales, said: 'Through the Construct Wales programme, we aim to increase the level of awareness and understanding of these Environmental Assessment Methods in Wales, so as to continually raise the standard of buildings and create places where people enjoy living and working'.