Shapps warns against “eco-bling” homes
Wednesday, 29 June 2011 12:01 PM
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has warned that a lack of creativity could lead to Scandinavian-style "eco-bling" homes dominating neighbourhoods over the next five years.
Shapps made his warning as house-builders prepare to go zero carbon in 2016, urging architects to find ways to 'green up' the Great British home.
He said: "We all know the Scandinavian-style homes that feature on property programmes – wearing their green credentials for all to see.
“These are popular and display a high quality of design and craftsmanship. But a lack of creativity could mean this eco-bling dominates our neighbourhoods in as little as five years. I am clear that the beginning of zero carbon does not need to mean the end of Great British design.
"That's why between now and 2016, when all new homes must be zero carbon, I want developers and designers to go back to their drawing boards and see how they can 'green up' our traditional British properties.
“People want to buy homes, not causes and just because a home is greener does not mean it can't reflect the character of the local area.”
Shapps made his comments yesterday as he opened the Natural House, a low-carbon property developed by the Prince's Foundation at the Building Research Establishment in Watford.
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