Zero carbon standards are "over ambitious"

Gordon Miller, founding editor of whatgreenhome.com, has claimed that the government's guidelines on zero carbon homes are setting the bar too high.

However, Mr Miller believes that in doing so builders and self builders "have had to respond" to the challenge.

So far 15 zero-carbon homes have met the criteria to qualify for stamp duty exemption.

From October of last year, all new zero carbon homes costing up to £500,000 will pay no stamp duty - while those that fit the criteria but cost in excess of £500,000 will receive a reduction in their stamp duty of £15,000.

Mr Miller says that the zero carbon requirements do not come in to being until 2016 for private house builders, so the small number can be interpreted both ways.

"Several developments in planning, including one in Brighton, at New England Quarter, are being built to zero carbon standard and will be completed in 2009, several years ahead of the legislation," he said.