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.
Ask us a Question
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

Blackpool Civil Service Hub Now Complete

Blackpool Civil Service Hub Now Complete

by | May 19, 2025 | Blog

Image Courtesy of Joel Chester Fildes

Vinci Building have completed work on the new, £100m office building in Blackpool, which forms part of the third phase of the Talbot Gateway regeneration scheme led by Muse.

The seven storey, 215,000 sq ft office building is now home to over 3000 staff from the Department of Work and Pensions.

 

Image Courtesy of Joel Chester Fildes

Hannan Associate’s Appointment

Hannan Associates  provided Building Services Engineering Consultancy  on the project and our key duties included: 

  • MEP services CAT A & CAT B performance design duties
  • Passive design analysis
  • Low & zero carbon feasibility studies
  • Design for Performance Operational Energy Modelling via advanced dynamic simulation
  • Construction monitoring
  • BREEAM Assessor and Certification

The Building’s Green Credentials

The building has been designed to be low energy with passive measures prioritised to reduce energy demand. Low-carbon heating and cooling to the office has been provided via air source heat pumps and high efficiency chillers serving low specific fan power fan coil units. Demand control ventilation has also been provided via central air handling units incorporating heat recovery to improve indoor air quality while saving energy during periods of reduced occupancy. An extensive PV array has been provided.

Green outdoor spaces with Sustainable Urban Drainage have also been provided, enhancing local biodiversity and promoting staff health and wellbeing. Extensive Cycle Spaces and changing facilities reduce reliance on vehicle journeys, reducing associated transport emissions.

The bulding was designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification and an Energy Performance Certificate rating of A. The Base Building operational energy is aligned with UK GBC’s interim NZC target for 2030 – 2035.

We are pleased to have been a part of Muse’s design team working alongside Make Architects, RPS, Chroma, Arup, Aecom and main contractor VINCI Building.

 

Blackpool Talbot Gateway Regeneration Scheme

Hannan Associates were also part of the team who designed and delivered Blackpool Council’s home, the award winning Bickerstaffe House. This first phase of development at Talbot Gateway, which started twelve years ago, also included the refurbishment of the 1930s, 5 level Talbot Road multi-storey car park.

The Talbot Gateway regeneration scheme is transforming Blackpool town centre and will comprise of a new business district and civic quarter, grade A offices, retail space, event space and a new public transport interchange. It is hoped that this new development will help to drive footfall in the town centre and support Blackpool’s economic growth.

 

Image Courtesy of Joel Chester Fildes

 

Offices Workspace Expertise

New Build :: Fit Out :: Retrofit :: Repurpose

Offices & workspace, in all forms, have been at the core of our business for over 40 years.

Whether it be speculative offices designed to attract potential tenants; a highly customised HQ; or the refurbishment of an existing building,our engineers understand what clients and occupiers expect and need from the 21st Century modern workplace.

Our extensive experience in this sector, along with continued training and research, means that we can contribute in-depth knowledge of a wide range of design solutions available for office environments and advice on cost in use.

 

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

Freetrade Exchange, Manchester

Blackpool Council Offices, Talbot Gateway

Coop HQ, One Angel Square, Manchester

BREEAM Residential Launched

HQM becomes BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential

by | Apr 11, 2025 | Blog

Change is afoot for Residential Sustainability Certification in 2025.
Home Quality Mark (HQM) is evolving to become BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential, 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 will transition to become a new BREEAM standard.
The new standard will be based on the same science as the existing BREEAM certification standards, though it will be focused on residential properties rather than commercial. It will provide 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 prepare for the upcoming changes?

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 will need to be considered when the new standard is released.

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.
Ask us a Question
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

Refurbishment Plans for Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey

Refurbishment Plans for Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey

by | Nov 3, 2023 | Blog

Image Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK

Our client, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK have revealed plans for the multi-million-pound refurbishment of its 83 bedroom house at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

The refurbishment works will include a complete refit of all bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms and the addition of family kitchens to each floor. Interconnecting rooms will be created for larger / blended families and the dayroom facilities will be improved to offer complimentary services such as hairdressing, yoga and family support. There will also be a re-landscaped garden for all age groups. 

We are providing Building Services Engineering consultancy for the project, which will include the complete replacement of the heating and domestic hot water system with a new system incorporating a micro CHP unit supplemented by gas fired boilers.

LED lighting will be installed throughout along with roof mounted photovoltaics. 

We are working alongside AEW Architects, MAC Construction, Urban Green, Heyne Tillett Steel, Hydrock and Mike Jackson Associates on the project design team.

 

Image Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families whose children are undergoing treatment, giving them a warm and welcoming environment where they can stay for as long as they need. The RMH Alder Hey will benefit more than 900 families who will stay there each year.

The charity have raised the majority of the funds needed but have launched a public appeal to help raise the remaining required. If you would like to donate please visit https://rmhc.org.uk/liverpool-appeal/ 

 

“We are delighted to be part of the team involved in the refurbishment of RMH Alder Hey and to have the opportunity to continue our work with this brilliant charity who do such a good job of supporting families during the most difficult of times”

Andrew Carrington

Andrew Carrington

Director

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

Ronald McDonald House Oxford

Ronald McDonald House Manchester

BREEAM 2018 Version 6.0 Launch Update

BREEAM 2018 Version 6.0 Launch Update

by | May 18, 2023 | Uncategorized

The latest BREEAM scheme Version 6.0 (V6) was launched back in August 2022. This update reflects the amendment to the Energy (Part L) and Ventilation (Part F2) sections of the Building Regulations (2021), which came into effect in June 2022.

In line with the updates to building regulations, the changes to BREEAM V6 includes:

  • For England, updated energy performance scales (translator curves) in Ene 01
  • Updated criteria relating to ventilation and air quality in Hea 02

UK NC 2018 or V6?

Building Regulations

Approved Document Part L2A 2010 Conservation of fuel and power in new buildings other than dwellings, 2013 edition with 2016 amendments – for use in England

Approved Document L, Conservation of fuel and power, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2021 edition – for use in England

Scheme Version

BREEAM UK New Construction 2018

BREEAM UK New Construction V6

Early Actions

The V6 New Construction scheme continues to place a focus on completing sustainability actions early in the design process.

Early-stage credits, which are to be completed during the Preparation & Brief (stage 1) and concept design (stage 2), include:

  • MAN 01 – Project brief and design
  • MAN 02 – Life Cycle Cost
  • HEA 02 – Indoor Air Quality Plan
  • HEA 06 – Security Needs Assessment
  • Ene 04 – Low carbon design
  • TRA 01 – Transport Assessment and Travel Plan
  • MAT 01 – Life Cycle Assessment
  • MAT 03 – Sustainable Procurement Plan
  • Mat 06 – Material efficiency
  • WST 05 – Adaptation to Climate Change Appraisal
  • WST 06 – Disassembly and Functional Adaptability Study
  • LE 02-03 – Land Use and Ecology

BRE – Pushing Best Practice Forward

BREEAM seeks to push the best practice of the construction sector forwards; this is increasingly important in the face of the current climate crisis.

One way in which the BRE is looking to continue pushing best practice is through modular updates across multiple BREEAM schemes. These modular updates will be informed by priority areas such as energy and carbon.

In line with above, consultation for Version 7 will be undertaken in May with an estimated launch date of Winter 2023/ Early 2024.

Some of these anticipated benefits BREEAM Version 7 will bring to our customers includes the ability to:

  • Better understand whole life carbon performance.
  • Compare against embodied carbon and operational energy benchmarks.
  • Monitor performance across a buildings lifecycle to understand any performance gap issues.
  • Understand alignment with decarbonisation pathways.
  • Ready themselves for our BREEAM NZC module (scheduled for release after Version 7).

For more details of our BREEAM related services please visit our BREEAM page.

If you would like to talk to us about BREEAM in more detail, please drop us an email. 

Tim Bell

Tim Bell

Head of Sustainability

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

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