Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH)

Environmental assessment for new build residential developments

The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) is a wide ranging form of environmental assessment applicable to new build residential developments. The code assesses each building on a number of environmental principles. Points are awarded against each principle with an overall level between 1 and 6 at the end of the process.

There are new mandatory minimum levels of performance that have been introduced across 9 key issues:

• Energy and CO2 Emissions
• Water
• Materials
• Surface Water Run Off
• Waste Management
• Pollution
• Health and Wellbeing
• Site management
• Ecology

Some developers chose to use the code as a marketing tool as even level 1 rating shows a significant improvement over and above Building Control minimum environmental requirements. Overall the code offers a standout badge of environmental stability both in the way a house has been constructed and its ongoing environmental impact.

Other code-rated developments are driven by legislation as all publicly funded residential developments must reach code level 3.

Eco Elite have experience of producing large volumes of code assessments for a range of high profile clients. We understand that our clients want each site to be assessed on its own individual merits and with no generic advice given, so this is the service that we provide.

A specific assessor is allocated to each case who will be your single point of contact for all technical matters throughout the construction process. In this way the assessor gets to understand the case and your construction methods in great detail.