Zero carbon targets ''hard to meet''

Ruth Kelly''s announcement that all new houses must be zero carbon will be difficult to implement, according to one housing expert.

Persimmon, who build homes and also provide housing design, says that there is no clear formula for cutting carbon to zero and the incentive to do so, of a stamp duty waiver, comes with strings attached.

David Bryant, board member at Persimmon, said: "I know items which will assist in reducing carbon emissions but there is no formula: nobody can say to me: If we put that, that and that into a house or we construct it in that very manner it will actually give zero carbon emissions."

He added that those who want to build houses will have to wait until the government''s sustainability codes are published to get a better understanding of what will happen with building regulations.

With regards stamp duty, this will be time-limited for the majority of zero carbon homes and will not be introduced until mid-2007.


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