The Green Party proposes significant changes to the regulation of demolition work, insisting it should require a full planning application unless covered by a local development order.
- The manifesto outlines plans to reinforce regulations around demolition, promising stringent application processes.
- Materials from demolition are to be reused, as disposal rates for builders’ waste will rise to encourage recycling.
- The Green Party pledges to reinvest funding from new road projects into public transport and electrification.
- A commitment to halt airport expansions and channel funds into climate crisis research is also included in the manifesto.
The Green Party has introduced a proposal that could reshape the landscape of demolition work within the UK, advocating that all demolition should necessitate a full planning application unless specifically covered by a local development order. Such orders would grant blanket permission for demolition within specified areas, contingent upon meeting certain criteria. This move comes as part of the party’s broader 46-page manifesto released on 12 June, which highlights their intention to reform demolition practices if they assume governmental power.
Currently, many demolition projects fall under permitted development rights, which depend on various factors such as the size of the structure being demolished and whether the site is in a conservation area or earmarked for redevelopment. However, the Green Party aims to tighten these allowances, emphasising the importance of assessing not only the necessity of demolition but also the potential for reusing the materials generated in the process.
To bolster this initiative, the party plans to increase disposal rates for builders’ waste, thereby establishing an economic impetus for recycling and reuse. This aligns with the longstanding calls from the demolition industry to consider alternative methods to building destruction, reducing the sector’s carbon footprint. Advocates for retrofitting include construction and demolition bodies who have been encouraging a shift toward more sustainable practices.
Reflecting a wider environmental strategy, the Green Party reiterates its opposition to the construction of new roads, vowing instead to reroute these funds into sustainable transport solutions such as electrification and public transport enhancement. Their manifesto also explores the necessity for modernising home-building standards, ensuring that new constructions are adequately insulated and equipped to tackle climate change.
Further commitments include a significant financial pledge of £29bn over the next decade to insulate homes to at least EPC B standard, addressing both social housing and private properties. An additional £4bn is allocated for insulating schools and hospitals, underscoring the party’s dedication to reducing energy consumption.
Moreover, the Green Party promises to halt airport expansion plans, redirecting investments into developing skills that will assist aviation workers in transitioning to jobs of the future. The party also proposes to invest £30bn in research and development focused on climate solutions, with particular attention to carbon-neutral construction methods and energy storage technologies.
The manifesto further suggests enhancing the Prompt Payment Code by enshrining it in law, actively investigating compliance and barring late payers from public contracts. This strengthens the party’s agenda to support small businesses and ensure timely payments within the construction sector.
The Green Party manifesto encapsulates a vision of sustainable development, prioritising environmental considerations in planning and construction practices.
