HQM becomes BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential

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.
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
Central Park at Liverpool Waters Given Approval

Central Park at Liverpool Waters Given Approval

by | Apr 3, 2023 | Blog

Image courtesy of Peel L&P and Planit-IE

Peel L&Ps plans for Central Park at Liverpool Waters have been approved!

Located at Central Docks the 4.7 acre park will be one of the largest green spaces in the city and is an important part of this next stage at the Liverpool Waters Development.  Plans for the park include planting thousands of trees, community gardens, play areas as well as spaces for sports and recreation and support for wildlife. 

Previously a derelict site, the Central Docks neighborhood will be a mixed use business and leisure district including a new cultural hub.

Planning also includes approval for the creation of essential infrastructure which will support the delivery of around 2,350 new homes, commercial, retail and leisure space within the Central Docks district over the next ten years, in line with the Liverpool Waters Central Docks Neighborhood Masterplan.

Hannan Associates are providing Utilities Infrastructure and Building Services Engineering support for the park including……

  • Establishing plant space requirements 
  • Utility supply applications for park utility services
  • Lighting design and CCTV coordination
  • Park containment routing for power, lighting, data and water irrigation system
  • Pop up power, wireless network, and interactive help points consideration
  • Park Pavilion M&E proposals

 

Image courtesy of Peel L&P and Planit-IE

Liverpool Waters involves the transformation of the city’s central and northern docks, regenerating a 60-hectare site to create a world-class, mixed use development on Liverpool’s waterfront. When complete the development will provide the city with much needed job opportunities and will strengthen the connection between the waterfront and the city centre.

Our team is currently providing strategic, procurement and cost advice for the utilities infrastructure required to support and enable the whole of the development. Our work includes the identification of the utility requirements, appraisal of the fulfilment options and procurement.

This is a key role in the master planning team and involves liaison and negotiation with the local utility companies and commercial operators in the ever changing utilities market. 

We are also providing a site wide sustainability strategy to assist with the development of a class leading location.

Our team mates on the project include Walker Sime, Curtins Consulting, Planit IE and Arup.

 

John Walker

John Walker

Director

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

Bradley Spivey

Electrical Design Engineer

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

Work Begins on Blackpool Civil Service Office Hub

Work Begins on Blackpool Civil Service Office Hub

by | Feb 10, 2023 | Blog

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

When complete the seven storey, 215,000 sq ft office building will become home to over 3000 staff from the Department of Work and Pensions.

Hannan Associates are providing Building Services Engineering Consultancy including operational energy modelling via advanced dynamic simulation modelling and BREEAM assessor duties for the building. 

The building has been designed to be ultra-low energy with no fossil fuels used. Low-carbon heating and cooling to the office will be provided via high efficiency chillers and air source heat pumps. Demand-driven ventilation will also be provided, helping to improve indoor air quality while saving energy during periods of reduced occupancy. Domestic hot water will be generated via water to water heat pumps and a photovoltaic array at roof level will generate electricity on-site.

The building has been designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and is anticipated to complete in March 2025.

We are pleased to be part of Muse Development’s design team working alongside Make Architects, RPS, Chroma, Arup and main contractor VINCI Construction UK.

Hannan Associates were also part of the team who designed and delivered the first phase of Talbot Gateway, which included Blackpool Council’s home, the award winning Bickerstaffe House.

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.

To find out more about our Commercial office experience please have a look at our brochure below and  if you would like to talk to us about your project please just give us a call or drop us an email…. 

Andrew Carrington

Andrew Carrington

Director

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

Jamie Hall

Director

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

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