Housing chief backs building efficiency rules

THE Capital's housing leader has backed plans to force developers to build more energy efficient homes.

The Scottish Government this week unveiled new rules that will come into force in October that will mean emissions of new buildings will have to be 30 per cent lower than 2007 standards. The move was criticised by a housebuilding body, which said that it could slow development in the Capital even further.

However, Councillor Paul Edie, the city's housing leader, said: "Let's not build houses which waste energy when the technology is there to build more energy efficient houses.

"We mustn't saddle people with avoidably high heating bills when we can relatively, cheaply design it out from the outset."

Earlier this week, Homes For Scotland said that the new rules would hit development.