England faces the urgent prospect of constructing a new generation of buildings that could dangerously overheat, according to warnings from planning experts. Unless the government significantly strengthens building standards and prioritises climate safeguards, vulnerable people will remain at heightened risk during heatwaves. This concern follows research indicating approximately 2,700 fatalities in England and Wales during the heatwaves of May and June this year.
A recent assessment by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) revealed that merely half of the local plans currently being drafted by councils and local authorities mandate cooling or ventilation strategies for new buildings. While almost all English councils express intentions to incorporate green infrastructure, such as street trees or access to waterways, into new housing developments, only about a quarter utilise recognised tools to ensure effective implementation. Celia Davis, interim director of operations at the TCPA, stressed the urgency, stating, “This is a matter of life and death. We need to avoid building death traps.” She highlighted a significant disparity between local authorities' stated ambitions for heat mitigation and their practical application.
Earlier this year, ministers introduced the “Future Homes Standard,” a new regulatory framework set to govern house construction from 2028. This standard includes provisions aimed at maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures year-round. However, planning experts have raised concerns that these rules, which do not mandate features like louvres and shutters recommended for heat blocking, may be insufficient to prevent overheating. Crucially, the standard will not apply to essential public buildings such as schools, hospitals, and care homes, leaving a critical gap in protection for vulnerable populations.
Dan Slade, head of research and practice at the RTPI, noted that the Future Homes Standard's scope is too narrow, failing to consider the broader environment. He emphasised that a lack of surrounding trees, shading, or green space significantly impacts the heat experienced within homes. Furthermore, Slade pointed out the issue of “permitted development rights,” which allow office buildings to be converted into residential dwellings without adhering to the same stringent regulations applied to other new homes. A London survey found that 14% of these converted properties, numbering around 120,000, lacked openable windows, posing severe overheating risks.
In a separate report published this week, the Woodland Trust charity advocated for increased tree planting near UK housing to leverage their natural cooling benefits. Their findings indicate that over 11 million people in the UK reside in areas where less than 10% of land receives shade from trees, with low-income communities disproportionately affected. England’s average tree cover stands at 17.5%, among the lowest in Europe, and only a third of residents in English towns and cities benefit from the minimum recommended levels of tree cover. The RTPI report, which utilised AI to assess local plans, also found that while 99% of plans mentioned green infrastructure, only 27% employed a “green space factor,” a recognised best practice tool for integrating green space effectively into developments.
A government spokesperson responded by stating that national building regulations and planning policy already require new homes and their surroundings to minimise unwanted heat, irrespective of local plans, with the Future Homes Standard designed to enhance energy efficiency. The spokesperson added that a review of these measures is underway.