Code for Sustainable Homes

In 2008 the Government announced that all New Build housing on behalf of local authority housing funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) should be rated against the Code for Sustainable Homes.

In this time, FHM has delivered 8 new build housing schemes, all of which have achieved a minimum level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Deciding the code level or BREEAM rating of a new development is not the direct responsibility of FHM. However, wherever possible we negotiate with our clients with an aim to raise the eco-rating of the proposed development, sometimes at a cost to FHM. We will always endeavour to influence our clients to achieve Code level 4 as a minimum.

This can be observed at the development at Wensley Court in Sheffield where we raised a number of the properties from Code Level 3 to Code Level 4, or at Woodside Way in Northampton where the entire development has been raised to code level 5.

FHM's ongoing business strategy aims to:

• Provide technical capacity to achieve sustainable homes to Code Level 4 (minimum)
• Promote Construction Innovation and Efficiency throughout the programme of delivery
• Attain design and quality standards
• Comply with 2012 construction commitments
• Deliver sustainable training and local employment
• Deliver best value

FHM also participate in the Keepmoat Experts Forum, a team focused on bringing together collective solutions for achieving the code for sustainable homes for both New Build and Refurbishment projects.