GGF In Discussions With Assembly Over Welsh Building Regulations

Following the recent statement by Jane Davidson AM, the Minister for Sustainability and Housing of the Welsh Assembly Government, that Wales will be the first part of the UK to set a national standard for sustainable buildings to be met through the planning system, Nigel Rees, Chief Executive of The Glass and Glazing Federation met with Ms Davidson and other representatives of the Welsh Assembly soon after the statement was issued to discuss the benefits offered by energy efficient windows.
 
The Welsh Assembly is keen to have control over Building Regulations for Wales although the principality does not have the resources required to implement greater control in the short term. It is clear therefore that the Assembly must turn to industry for dialogue on what may be achieved and by when. The aim is to set standards higher than those being considered for England.
 
Meetings took place to establish the authority and knowledge of the GGF and to establish regular consultation throughout the process of the Assembly moving towards its own Building Regulations. Further discussions concerned the Federation’s campaign to reduce VAT on home improvements and other fiscal incentives.
 
The general view was that the establishment of Welsh Building Regulations are ‘When’ rather than ‘If’ and that preparation should include the maintenance of a dialogue with the GGF in the build up to their creation. Nigel Rees emphasised the need for consistency in glazing standards throughout the UK to control cost and prevent confusion over compliance with Regulations. However, the members clearly wanted to see Wales take a lead in the fight to combat climate change and intend to set their own standards.
 
Nigel Rees was left with the view through his observations and assurances from others involved with the process that pursuit of Welsh Building Regulations is high on the agenda of the Welsh Assembly and is not likely to be stopped, although the timescale has yet to be established.
 
He believes that close attention will be paid to ensure glazing is well considered: “Clearly glazing is a key issue in any Building Standards and we want to ensure that an ideal balance is achieved between specification of the highest performance, against the realities of cost and logistics. We have already established an excellent rapport with key Assembly Members and other officers involved with the process. We will pursue this with considerable vigour over the coming months.”
Ends
 
Photo caption: The general view following the GGF discussions with the Welsh Assembly over the creation of specific Building Regulations for Wales is that it will happen ‘When’ rather than ‘If’.
 
For further information contact:
Paul Godwin, VAST PR, 0845 0945 215; email Lis Chapelhow, GGF, Public Relations Assistant, 020 7207 5859