The producers of stonewool insulation, Rockwool, has welcomed the new London Housing Design Guide as a strong foundation for enhancing energy efficiency and build quality within new urban homes.

However, Rockwool has urged The London Development Agency to extend the 73 new-build property standards beyond social housing to private developments saying the creation of a single level playing field and common design standards are essential to delivering a more sustainable housing stock.

Rockwool has also welcomed the report's call for greater acoustic insulation in new homes, as a strong lead in helping combat the growing problem of urban noise pollution which can blight people’s lives and the enjoyment of their homes.

The guide, unveiled this week by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, has called for more high performance insulation to be used in developing new homes to boost their energy efficiency and cut bills for householders. Rockwool also welcomes the call for insulation with a high recycled content to be used. The firm has recently invested £9 million building a new recycling facility at its Bridgend plant to allow offcut and old Rockwool to be recycled and spun into new insulation product, and in accordance with WRAP ‘rules of thumb’ Rockwool products now contain 50% of recycled content.

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Hans Schreuder, Managing Director at Rockwool, commented: "Creating new standards for building better quality urban homes which are energy efficient, more spacious and provide better acoustic insulation has to be welcomed.

"We think this is an important first step in helping create better urban homes in London for the future but as a priority we would like to see the new London Housing Design Guide standards rolled out to cover all property, not just social housing.

"The focus on noise insulation is particularly welcome and a bold move by the Mayor. With the UK population expected to reach 77 million in 2050 and with 80% (50 million) currently living in urban areas, noise pollution is becoming a greater issue. According to the World Heath Organisation (WHO) approximately 40% of the EU population are exposed to road traffic noise exceeding the maximum legal limit during daytime and more than 30% are exposed at night. With scientific evidence suggesting that exposure to excessive noise can induce hearing impairment, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and tinnitus, it is important for homes of the future to work towards creating a noise-reducing environment."

(CD/KMcA)