Housing Minister, Carl Sargeant, has announced the first phase of a package of measures that will support the housing industry and also deliver on his pledge to improve the quality and safety of houses in Wales.

Measures include the phased introduction of sprinklers in domestic properties and a revised target for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for new homes in Wales.

The Minister said: "I recognise that these are tough times for the housing industry and households alike and have also listened to the concerns expressed during the public consultations and by house builders.

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"However, it is important that we continue to strive to deliver on the Welsh Government’s commitment to deliver safe and sustainable housing for the people of Wales.

"There is no question that fire sprinklers save lives. From April 2014 they will be required in all new and converted homes that are high risk in terms of death and injury, such as care homes, student halls and boarding houses.

"In lower risk residences, such as new houses and flats, sprinklers will be required from January 2016.

"Building regulations in relation to carbon emissions are also being amended. The revised target will be an 8% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions for domestic buildings when compared to the building regulations 2010 and a 20% decrease for non-domestic premises.

"These new targets continue to represent a step towards achieving the EU obligation for all new buildings to be built to zero carbon, and nearly zero energy houses by 2021."

(CD/MH)