A Requirement for More Sustainable Homes
The housing industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven by new building regulations and the urgent need for more sustainable homes. The UK Government has set a legally binding target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% from 1990 levels by 2050—commonly referred to as the net zero carbon target.
Future Homes Standard
As a key step toward this zero carbon goal, the 2021 update to Part L of the Building Regulations requires new homes to emit 31% less carbon than under the 2013 standard. This regulation focuses on the conservation of fuel and power, with an emphasis on improved energy efficiency.
Further regulations covering ventilation (Part F), overheating (Part O), and electric vehicle charging (Part S) have also been introduced to support healthier, future-ready homes.
Looking ahead, the Future Homes Standard, expected between 2027 and 2028, will aim to reduce emissions from new homes by 75–80% compared to 2013 levels. It will also phase out gas boilers in favour of low-carbon technologies such as air source heat pumps.
At Vistry, we are fully committed to the Government’s sustainability ambitions. We are targeting:
- Zero-carbon homes by 2030 (operational emissions)
- Net-zero operations across our business by 2040
The Vistry Collection
The homes we build for both Partner Funded and Open Market sales have been designed using a DfMA (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly) approach. This engineering-led approach simplifies construction, enhances efficiency, and ensures compliance with current and upcoming regulatory standards, including the anticipated Future Homes Standard.
Across The Vistry Collection, there are 100 different standard house types to support local and client need.
All homes within The Vistry Collection are designed to meet:
- Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS)
- Accessibility requirements under Part M4(2)
This ensures that our homes are not only energy-efficient but also spacious, adaptable, and inclusive—designed to meet the needs of a broad range of households.
A key feature of the Vistry Collection is our commitment to modern methods of construction (MMC). Our homes are manufactured at Vistry Works - our network of three timber frame factories using sustainably sourced PEFC-certified timber. Timber is a naturally effective insulator, making it a strong fit for meeting the fabric performance requirements of the Future Homes Standard.
Homes for Nature
Vistry is committed to working with the Future Homes Hub to deliver Homes for Nature on our developments. We have committed to the Homes for Nature initiative which will see swift bricks, hedgehog highways, bat boxes and pollinator friendly landscaping.
An example of a home designed to meet the expected Future Homes Standard
For more information, please contact us.