Green building initiative launched

05/02/2008

The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has launched a construction industry consultation on sustainable building.

The month-long discussion hopes to find out if additional contractual provisions and guidance would help builders.

Professor Peter Hibberd, secretary general, hopes the JCT can provide some leadership. He said guidance was needed in the sector, "as it is the largest industry in the economy, it has to take responsibility, and to some degree leadership, in introducing changes".

The JCT has produced a briefing paper, which explores how contracts and guidance can help advisors to give priority to sustainable design features.

Despite acknowledging the need for environmentally friendly initiatives, the construction industry has expressed concern with the proposed Planning and Energy Bill.

John Slaughter, director of external affairs at the Home Builders Federation is worried it will make life far more difficult for developers.

He said recently: "Our point of view is that it prevents the delivery of new housing, and in the process will result in fewer environmentally friendly houses rather than more."

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