BREEAM Residential Launched

BREEAM Residential Launched

by | Oct 10, 2025 | Blog

Residential Sustainability Certification changes in 2025.
The Home Quality Mark (HQM) has now evolved into BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential, effective from April 2025.

What is changing?

HQM was launched by BRE in 2015 following the withdrawal of The Code for Sustainable Homes, as a third party certification standard for the construction of new homes in the UK. HQM provides independent verification to determine that a residential property has been designed to meet a certain level of performance in terms of sustainability and quality. In April HQM transitioned to become a new BREEAM standard.
The new standard is based on the same science as the existing BREEAM certification standards, though itis focused on residential properties rather than commercial. It provides a stamp of quality and credibility that developers can use to help make their product stand out in a competitive marketplace and for home owners it signifies a quality home that will be a comfortable, more economic and an environmentally friendly place to live.
The transition to the new standard demonstrates the BRE’s commitment to improving sustainability standards for new homes.

 

Key Benefits of the transition to BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential

  • A more unified, streamlined approach to Residential Sustainability Certification
  • Help to ensure that the UK housing sector stays at the forefront of progression in terms of sustainability
  • Enhanced credibility and recognition for the UK housing market by aligning with the BREEAM brand
  • Better alignment with the UK’s wider sustainability targets

What do you need to do to now that the changes are in effect?

No significant immediate impact as all current HQM registrations remain valid. Future projects, however, will be registered and assessed under BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential V6.1.
There have been some minor changes to the daylighting criteria, enhanced lifecycle assessment and embodied carbon measurement. These now need to be considered under the new standard.

 

How are Hannan Associates helping clients?

Hannan are currently working with several clients on a number of varied residential projects from masterplan level to individual buildings. Hannan would be happy to discuss how we can help your teams transition to the new scheme, with minimal disturbance and maximum effectiveness.

The UK Housing Sector

The UK Government has prioritised tackling the housing crisis and has set a target to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years, but at the same time, the housing sector has been impacted by multiple factors in recent years and is in something of a transition period.
In 2022, emissions from residential buildings accounted for a fifth (20%) of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK and 30% of the UK’s total energy use (Ofgem). All New Homes will be required to decarbonise to help meet the UK’s 2050 NZC targets. England, under the 2021 regulation uplift, which requires semi-detached homes to have 30% lower emissions than a comparable home built under 2013 standards. The UK Government has proposed further changes to these requirements under the Future Homes Standard.
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Tim Bell

Tim Bell

Head of Sustainability

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Hannan BREEAM Services
Learn More about the Hannan Sustainability Team

Willohaus Salford

Greenhaus Salford

Valette Square Salford

The Future Homes Standard Is on Its Way – Are We Ready?

The Future Homes Standard Is on Its Way – Are We Ready?

by | Sep 26, 2025 | Blog

The transition from Building Regulations Part L Volume 1 (2021) to the Future Homes Standard (2025) marks a significant step towards achieving the UK’s net-zero carbon targets.

In June this year, the government announced that they are aiming to publish The Future Homes Standard by Autumn 2025.

What is the Future Homes Standard?

Anticipated Timeline

How will The Future Homes Standard Affect the Industry?

How can Hannan Associates Help with Your Residential Development?

Hannan Residential Services 

Contact us

 

What is the Future Homes Standard?

Part L (2021) was an interim uplift, targeting approximately 30% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with the previous iteration, while the Future Homes Standard represents the ‘final’ regulatory framework for new homes in England, designed to target an approximate 75% reduction in CO2 emissions and qualify as “zero-carbon ready.”

It is proposed that this will be achieved by continuing to promote a fabric-first approach, where a high performing building envelope will be encouraged to reduce space heating demand, making it easier for low-carbon heating systems to operate effectively.

It is not anticipated that there will be significant improvements from the notional dwelling specification currently outlined in Part L Volume 1 (2021) – The anticipated changes generally comprise; provision of a low-carbon heat source (for space heating and domestic hot water generation) and incorporation of a solar PV array for the vast majority of new build homes.

Summary Comparison of Part L Volume 1 (2021) and the Future Homes Standard (2025):

 

Feature

CO2 Emissions Reduction

 

Building Reulations

Part L (2021)

Approximately 31% reduction (compared with 2013 standards)

 

Future Homes

Standard (2025)

75-80% reduction (compared with 2013 standards)

Heating Systems

Allows fossil fuel heating (e.g., gas boilers)

Unlikely that compliance can be demonstrated using fossil fuel heating in new homes

Primary Heating Technology

Gas boilers and other systems were still common

Low-carbon heating (e.g., heat pumps) will be the primary technology

Building Fabric

Enhanced U-values for walls, windows, and roofs; enhanced focus on “fabric-first” compared with 2013

Fabric standards remain similar; greater emphasis on airtightness to suit heat pump design

Compliance Method

Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP 10 Methodology)

Home Energy Model (HEM) – New methodology

Effective Date

In effect from June 2022

Expected to be fully implemented in late 2026/early 2027, including a transitional period

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Anticipated Timeline

At the time of writing there has been no confirmation of any definite fixed dates.

How will The Future Homes Standard Affect the Industry?

Going forward residential designers will need to focus on improving building fabric, incorporating low-carbon heating and hot water systems, installing EV charging infrastructure, and enhancing ventilation.

A breakdown of the key considerations:

Assessment

The new Home Energy Model (HEM) will be introduced to assess compliance, replacing the current Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). This will use a Primary Energy Rate as the main metric for measuring performance this will force the following considerations and inclusions:

  • No fossil fuels: New homes will be banned from connecting to the gas grid. This eliminates fossil fuel heating systems, including gas boilers.
  • Heat pumps: The standard promotes the use of low-carbon heating systems, with air source or ground source heat pumps expected to be the main technology.
  • Heat networks: Connecting to a low-carbon heat network is another way to meet the requirements.

Enhanced energy efficiency

  • Superior insulation: Walls, floors, and roofs must have improved insulation to minimize heat loss.
  • Triple glazing: High-quality, triple-glazed windows are likely to become favourable for new builds to increase thermal efficiency.
  • Airtightness: New homes must meet stricter airtightness and thermal bridging standards to prevent heat loss.

Improved ventilation

  • Better indoor air quality: Stricter ventilation standards ensure adequate fresh air without compromising the building’s airtightness. This can be achieved through systems like Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) or Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR).
  • Overheating mitigation: The regulations include measures to prevent overheating, which is a growing problem in modern, highly insulated homes. Requirements may include limiting solar gain and incorporating passive or active cooling solutions.

Renewable energy and infrastructure

  • Solar PV: While subject to consultation, one option includes mandatory solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to generate on-site electricity.

Development Costs

Ambitious housing targets and increasing rate of development, along with the planned migration from gas will increase the required electrical capacity for new developments, which may result in subsequent cost increase associated with network reinforcement etc. as the existing capacity becomes saturated.

Project Timelines

The changes are expected to impact construction programmes (at least initially), as the industry expands new processes and technologies.  This is likely to be accentuated by the ‘skills gap.’ There is already a reported shortage in skilled installers proficient in low-carbon technologies (heat pumps & PV), which may be compounded as more schemes are delivered.

Futureproofing

As the ongoing ‘greening of the grid’ continues, off-site grid emissions will subsequently reduce as we prioritise renewable generation, along with other sources such as nuclear, hydrogen tech and carbon capture.

Smart Grids and Digitisation

The grid will become “smarter,” using digital technology and data to balance supply and demand more effectively. This will include better forecasting of renewable generation and consumer demand, and the use of data to manage the grid in real-time.

How can Hannan Associates Help with Your Residential Development?

We provide our clients with a range of services to help them meet the increasingly complex set of targets and standards that residential developments must now meet.

We have extensive experience delivering Passivhaus certified schemes, which is the pioneering sustainability standard from which many of the targets and principles for the Future Homes Standard have been derived.

If you would like a chat about the Future Homes Standard, Building Regulations, Passivhaus or anything else connected to residential developments and our services, please drop us an email.

 

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Hannan Residential Services 

MEP Strategy

Utilities planning

Plant space planning & coordination

Central plant solutions

Local plant solutions

Heating & DHW strategy (inc. ASHP)

Ventilation strategy (whole house & purge)

Metering strategy

Renewables options

Vertical Transport Systems

Vertical & horizontal services distribution

Thermal analysis

Certification options i.e. Passivhaus & Home Quality Mark

Heating & DHW strategy (inc. ASHP)

Lift Traffic Analysis

Essential services & life safety systems

Cost appraisal

Planning Support

Building Regulations

Sustainability Statements

Environmental Standards and Energy Statement 

Heat Energy Network Assessment

Low Carbon Heat Appraisal

Energy and Carbon Profoma

Embodied Carbon Appraisal

Utilities Statements

Ventilation Strategy 

Broadband Connectivity

TV Reception

Part F – Ventilation

Part L – Conservation of Fuel & Power

Part O – Overheating

Part S – Infrastructure for the Charging of Electric Vehicles

Part R – Infrastructure for Electronic Communications

 

 

 

 

Low Carbon Design

 

 

Sustainability Certification & Assessment

Additional Services

 

Passive design analysis

Low & Zero Carbon (LZC) Technologies/ Renewables

MEP Design to achieve Passivhaus Certification

LETI

UKGBC

UKNZC

Local Planning Authority Targets

SAP Calculations for Part L Vol 1 Compliance

Dynamic Simulation Modelling for Part L Vol 2 Compliance

Overheating assessments for Part O Compliance (Simplified Method & Dynamic Simulation)

Operational Energy Modelling (CIBSE TM54)

 

BREEAM UKNCR

Life Cycle Assessment

Life Cycle Costing

Contractor design & construction monitoring

Consultation on glazing design, external shading and impact on Building Regulations Compliance

Ask us a question
Tom Cutt

Tom Cutt

Associate Mechanical Design Engineer

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Ian Joyce

Ian Joyce

Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200

Cross Lane Salford

Novella, New Bailey

Greenhaus Salford

BREEAM New Construction Version 7 Launches Sep 30th

BREEAM New Construction Version 7 Launches Sep 30th

by | Sep 8, 2025 | Blog

BREEAM New Construction Version 7, set to launch on 30th September 2025, will set new standards for building performance, aligned with global decarbonisation efforts.

The comprehensive overhaul has adopted new minimum standards for achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and ‘Outstanding’ ratings, with an emphasis on operational & embodied carbon reduction and wellbeing.

We are keen to help you understand the implications these changes will have on your future projects so please let us know if you would like to discuss BREEAM Version 7 with our team.
It may also be an opportunity for you to register any existing projects against the current BREEAM version to shield you from the more onerous requirements and costs of the new standard.

We can of course help you with registration and progression of these projects.

 

Ask us a Question
Tim Bell

Tim Bell

Head of Sustainability

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Matthew Dalley

Matthew Dalley

Senior Energy & Sustainability Consultant

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Charlotte Becker

Charlotte Becker

Graduate Sustainability Engineer

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Hannan BREEAM Services
Learn More about the Hannan Sustainability Team
Work Progressing on Greggs Distribution Centre Kettering

Work Progressing on Greggs Distribution Centre Kettering

by | Jun 24, 2025 | Blog

Construction is underway on Greggs’ 311,551 sq ft National Distribution Centre at Tritax Big Box Development’s Symmetry Park Kettering.

Hannan Associates are providing Building Services Engineering consultancy for the new chilled & ambient facility and have been supporting Tritax Big Box with the wider development plans for the business park since 2019.

Set to complete in September 2025 and become fully operational in 2027, the facility marks a significant step forward in Greggs’ long-term growth plans.  The new distribution hub will significantly enhance Greggs’ operational capabilities by providing a streamlined system for distributing its goods.

The Design

The facility is being constructed with a strong emphasis on sustainability to align with Greggs’  aspirations.  It will be built to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard, with an EPC A rating, and will meet Net Zero Carbon in Construction requirements.

The design of the facility needed to be futureproofed to allow Greggs to extend the facility in the future therefore the MEP services and on plot infrastructure have been designed to allow this expansion to be undertaken with limited impact.

The MEP services routing within the warehouse area have been designed to co-ordinate with the critical dimensions and setting out needed for the Greggs’ automation system.

A lower GWP refrigerant has been incorporated into the office heating & cooling systems. Passive design measures were adopted at early stages to ensure the roof mounted photovoltaic array did not exceed the limits imposed by the local network.

Both Greggs and Tritax Big Box Developments are committed to integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices, which are becoming increasingly important in the industry.

We are working alongside Stephen George Architects, Trinity Property Consultants, Framptons, EDP UK, Feasibility Ltd, WSP UK and Ridge on the project design team.

 

Symmetry Park Kettering  – Unit 1 Timelapse Movie

Symmetry Park Kettering

Symmetry Park Kettering, the location of the new Greggs NDC, offers a strategic advantage for logistics operations.

The park extends to a total of 136 acres and benefits from outline planning permission for 2.3 million sq ft of logistics space. Located directly alongside the A14 “Trans-European” freight route at Junction 9, it offers excellent connectivity to the UK motorway and trunk road network.

This location is particularly advantageous for Greggs, as it allows for optimal distribution routes and reduced transportation times, which are essential for maintaining product freshness and quality and reducing costs.

 

The Hannan Industrial team have supported clients with the development of over seven million square feet of industrial and logistics space.

For a chat about how we can help your future project please get in touch ……..

 

Andrew Carrington

Andrew Carrington

Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200

Symmetry Park, Kettering

Weston M6, Crewe

LOC8 Maidstone

Approval for Affordable Homes at New Bailey, Salford

Approval for Affordable Homes at New Bailey, Salford

by | May 28, 2025 | Blog

Image Courtesy of ECF.

The latest and final residential scheme at New Bailey, Salford has secured planning permission. 

The scheme is set to deliver 189 affordable homes and once complete will take the total number of new homes delivered at New Bailey to 1,000. The development will sit amongst five other residential schemes, including: the three blocks at The Slate Yard; Novella; and Plot C2 which is currently under construction.

ECF are delivering the scheme as part of the wider £1bn regeneration of Salford Central. ECF is a joint venture between Muse, Legal & General and Homes England, in conjunction with Salford City Council.

Hannan Associates are very happy to be a part of the team working alongside Hawkins/Brown, Buro Four, DPP Planning, Walker Sime, Renaissance, Design Fire Consultants, Project Four, WSP and Re-form Landscape Architects. 

 

Image Courtesy of ECF

Hannan Associate’s Appointment

The Hannan residential team are providing Building Services Engineering consultancy services including:

  • Early-stage technical review and development of plant space options &
    requirements
  • Utilities coordination based on proposal to connect to existing
    infrastructure installed under the Phase 1 (C1 Novella) works. 
  • Building Regulations Part L Design Stage Compliance Assessments
  • Building Regulations Part O Limiting Overheating Analysis
  • TM54 Operational Energy calculations
  • Ongoing site inspections & reporting during the construction period

 

If you would like to talk to us about a future project please give us a call or drop us an email….

 

 

Andrew Carrington

Andrew Carrington

Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200

Cross Lane Salford

Novella, New Bailey

The Slate Yard, New Bailey

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