Finally the sadly anticipated day has come. The Written Ministerial Statement has been issued, the Housing Standards Review has been formally concluded and we are waving goodbye to The Code for Sustainble Homes. From the date of Royal Assent of the Deregulation Bill (26th March 2015) only legacy cases  will be registered with BRE for the Code for Sustainable Homes. The Code for Sustainable Homes will always be remembered for its aspirations, diligence and the never ending frustrations it caused us all. Gone, but not forgotten.

As one leader suffers an invetable demise, so another rises to take its place and so we welcome with open hearts the babe in arms that is the Home Quality Mark (HQM)...

New 2013 versions of building regulations documents for England were published by DCLG on the 15th November 2013 and are available on planning portal website. These include:

• Approved Documents L1A 2013

• Approved Documents L2A 2013

• Domestic Building Services Compliance guide

• Non-Domestic Building Services Compliance guide

• Amendments to the 2010 versions of Approved Document L1B and L2B

The new documents will take effect on the 6th April 2014. Transition arrangements remain similar to previous Part L changes, with building control applications submitted prior the 6th April being subject to 2010 standards and those submitted from 6th April onwards subject to the new 201...