27th February 2007

Dear Editor,

As Matt Robinson and Andrew Mitchell (Building a no-brainer business, Telegraph February 23, 2007) rightly point out, the level of sustainability of new buildings in Sheffield makes them unfit for future purpose. Every element from initial design through to building completion needs vast improvement if we are to make buildings that will last a long time, be cheap and efficient to run throughout their lifetime and not cost the earth to build in the first place. Over 50% of the energy a building uses in its lifetime goes into building it in the first place, so we must get it right the first time.

It's a disgrace that George Wimpey have been allowed to build 313 energy inefficient homes in Darnall (Sheffield ‘misses out on £600,000’ over homes plan Telegraph February 23, 2007); as Neil Parry points out, “Darnall deserves better”, we all do. Even Bovis Lend Lease, who are building the Student Village in Broomhill, only pay lip service to sustainability. Whilst they make out they are green, their wall insulation will only scrape in around 10% above building regulations. This is a wasted opportunity, the University could have led the way with carbon neutral Student Village which would have been an asset to both city and students.

We must also deal with our existing housing stock, this needs vast improvements in efficiency. Better insulation of walls, ceilings and floors and better quality wooden framed double glazing are a must. We should also start thinking about external cladding of older buildings to better insulate them.

It is imperative that the Council act now to introduce much stricter planning guidelines for energy efficiency, better insulation, local energy production, use of non harmful materials in building, thorough recycling and waste reduction schemes on building sites. We must commit builders to producing an absolute minimum of 20% of buildings energy needs on site or in the local area; it’s often better to build a large turbine a few miles away on a windy site than to build mini turbines on a building where there's no wind. Milton Keynes are aiming for 100% energy production for new buildings so why can’t Sheffield do the same. Sheffield is meant to be leading the way on Climate Change, the truth is we are lagging severely behind. Now is our chance to make Sheffield into the Green City that everyone always talks about, but we must be ready to take up this challenge.

Rob Cole
Sheffield Green Party

www.younggreens.org.uk
www.sheffieldgreenparty.org.uk
www.greenparty.org.uk