Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
Uk Construction Directory
Search our 26,265 companies....

Construction News

09/09/2024

Fraser Millar Calls For Increasing Building Regulations Standards

Construction News Image
Family-owned housebuilders, Fraser Millar, has called for an increase in standards of the current building regulations for energy efficiency in Northern Ireland as part of the drive to meet Net Zero targets.

The request coincided with a facility visit for members of the All-Party Group on Climate Action organised by Sustainable NI at the company's 219-unit Lancaster Park development in the Four Winds, Belfast where cutting edge Passivhaus construction techniques have already delivered significant reductions in energy use.

John Carrigan, Director with Fraser Millar explained: "We are delighted to have the opportunity offered by Sustainable NI to host local MLAs and Councillors and increase their awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of this innovative alternative to conventional housebuilding. Passivhaus principles are setting a new benchmark for energy efficiency in the housing market, which supports homeowners, and far exceeds Northern Ireland's current building regulations.

"Passivhaus homes use 70 to 90 per cent less energy than conventional homes with more than 90 per cent of the heat generated, within the home, staying in the home, potentially saving residents hundreds of pounds on heating bills every year. Not only that, but they are designed to promote higher air quality due to continuous ventilation and a heat recovery system that reduces pollutants and dust which can be beneficial to those with allergies. None of these principles are difficult to implement or construct, it is just about the attention to detail and doing it right."
-- Advertisement --



The only company in Northern Ireland to gather data allowing it to monitor the performance of their Passivhaus homes, Fraser Millar's statistics show better results than initially expected, with recent studies reporting that typical standard new build homes are performing between 52% and 98% worse than predicted at design stage. Conversely, real data from Lancaster Park is showing the houses to be performing better than predicted at design stage. In fact, monthly data demonstrates that a four bed, 1365 sq ft Langham house, with a family of four is currently showing an average monthly expenditure of £75 per calendar month for all heating, hot water and general electric use.

"We like to think of ourselves as trailblazers, constantly challenging construction standards in Northern Ireland, particularly in relation to low energy homes," said John Carrigan. "With the adoption of Passivhaus principles we believe we can help to revolutionise the housing sector in the future, delivering better for the environment through lower carbon emissions and significantly reduced energy bills for customers. A typical new build house emits 6,000 tonnes of carbon per year, whereas our houses emit less than 0.5 tonnes.

"The figures we have produced to date speak for themselves and when extrapolated across Northern Ireland, can only mean positive and impactful results for government and homeowners alike."

Commenting on the importance of such familiarity visits, Nichola Hughes, Director of Sustainable NI said: "Given the targets set for Net Zero in 2050, it is vital that our political representatives are fully briefed on all possible solutions to help deliver a zero-carbon future for Northern Ireland. Passivhaus technology is an innovation that offers a positive impact on the environment in terms of construction but also economically for householders at a time when costs are increasing across the board.

"We are delighted to collaborate with Fraser Millar on this occasion and look forward to some affirmative action from the members of the All-Party Group following such an informative visit to Lancaster Park."

Lancaster Park is Northern Ireland's first large scale Passivhaus certified housing development, followed by the company's recently launched second such development Beaufort Green on the Comber Road in Carryduff and another is planned for Killinchy Road in Comber.

Latest Construction News

22/01/2025
Akela Ground Engineering, part of the Akela Group, has expanded into the island of Ireland by setting up a new base in County Armagh. Akela Ground Engineering Ireland will support the roll out of Scotland-based Akela Group's groundbreaking precast beam system, ABeam, which was launched to market la
22/01/2025
The Land Development Agency (LDA) has unveiled plans for 345 new homes in County Galway. The A-rated apartments are being delivered across four blocks in partnership with JJ Rhatigan & Company and will be based at Crown Square on the Mervue Road, just 2.4km from Galway City Centre. The homes inclu
22/01/2025
Over £300m will be invested in capital projects across Belfast's port and Harbour Estate during the next five years. Belfast Harbour unveiled the plans as part of its Advance Regional Prosperity 2025-2029 strategy, with £208m pledged for significant port improvements while £105m will go towards the
22/01/2025
New water storage tanks have successfully been constructed on the site of two reservoirs in County Cork, Uisce Éireann has announced. The completed projects, which represent an investment of approximately €2.9m in water infrastructure at Kerry Pike and Killeagh, involved the assembly of modern 1000
22/01/2025
A total of €20m in funding has been made available for the ongoing delivery of active travel schemes in Fingal. The National Transport Authority (NTA) green-lit the allocation to Fingal County Council as part of a €294m budget which is being awarded to local authorities to support a range of walkin
22/01/2025
Community groups in the Kingsmountain and Dunneill region of County Sligo can now avail of project funding from SSE Renewables. The Kingsmountain and Dunneill Community Fund is open to community-based projects located within a 20km radius of the Kingsmountain and Dunneill wind farms, with preferenc
22/01/2025
A Part 8 public consultation has been launched for the development of a Design and Innovation Hub in County Limerick. The hub, based at 35-39 Nicholas Street, will include the historic Fireplace site and will feature artist studios, workspaces, a retail area, exhibition space and a café/restaurant
22/01/2025
A six-week public consultation has been launched for the new South Park and Public Urban Realm Project in County Galway. The consultation was launched by Galway City County for the purpose of gathering contributions and feedback for the project which is being designed by a team consisting of LUC, M
22/01/2025
Disruption to the water supply in the Moneymore area of Drogheda, County Louth, has been planned to occur tomorrow night to facilitate ongoing essential watermains replacement works. The works, which are being carried out by crews from Uisce Éireann, involve the decommissioning of ageing back yard
22/01/2025
A three-week road closure will commence next month to facilitate essential watermain replacement works in County Cavan. Crews from Uisce Éireann will be carrying out the work on Farnham Place and Railway Road, resulting in the closure of R212-3 Farnham Place, from the end of Wolfe Tone Street (L-25
This web site uses cookies to improve your experience and by viewing our content you accept their use. Click here to remove this notice.
Stone Systems LimitedPremier Floor ScreedS & N GraniteKG ManufacturingSeamless AluminiumTurboChip Ireland LtdHoulihan ConstructionNW RenewablesConstruction Information ServicesPowerscreen Ireland Ltd