Building Regulations Part L Review – ECONOMIST

Tender description

BACKGROUND The Welsh Government has legal obligations and carbon budget targets as a result of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. It is further the case that implementation of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 will impact across all policy areas including efforts to tackle climate change policy. The 2014 review of Part L in Wales resulted in aggregate performance improvements to new buildings of 8% for residential and 20% for non domestic buildings. The review also made improvements to existing buildings undergoing work and the mandating of backstop U values. Consultation proposal options for new dwellings of 25% and preferred 40% (against the prevailing 2010 standards) were not taken forward in the light of a depressed housing market following the 2008 crash. No changes were proposed or made to Part F – Means of Ventilation which was last revised in 2010. The impact assessments which accompanied the 2012 consultation (which resulted in the Part L 2014 changes) are at: https://beta.gov.wales/building-regulations-part-l-review AECOM have been commissioned by the Welsh Government to undertake the technical review of Part L of the Building Regulations with the intention to develop a set of proposals over the next 12 months which build on the 2014 changes, which take account of current concerns including issues around what is termed the ‘Performance Gap’, the continuing robustness of means of ventilation set out in Part F and backstop U values for work on existing buildings. It is anticipated to go out to public consultation during first half of 2019. Since the review will potentially include proposals for change to building regulations and associated guidance, the development of proposals will be referred to the Statutory Building Regulations Advisory Committee for Wales (BRACW) for advice. A working group, comprising BRACW committee members and external stakeholders (including industry experts) will be convened to help advise on the development of proposals for public consultation. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this appointment is to secure the services of economists able to undertake specified research and development leading to cost benefit analysis/impact assessment as part of a review of Part L of the Welsh Building Regulations.