Quality Housing Guidelines

The design and delivery of good quality sustainable housing is reliant on striking a balance between economic, environmental and social issues. This can be difficult to achieve and requires the input of all sectors of the construction industry – from planners and architects right through to construction contractors. 

The purpose of the Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities Guidelines is to assist in achieving the objectives contained in the Government's housing policy statement – Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities. They are intended for use by all involved in the provision of housing such as architects, urban designers, engineers, planners, quantity surveyors, developers, housing authorities, City and County Managers and Directors of Services. 

These guidelines provide information on many aspects of sustainable communities such as site selection, procurement/design briefs, scheme layout and design, and dwelling design (including energy usage and construction materials). 

The main aim of the guidelines is to assist in achieving the objectives set out in government housing policy, which focus on creating sustainable communities that are socially inclusive. These guidelines focus on:

• Promoting high standards in the design and construction, and in the provision of residential amenity and services in new housing schemes

• Encouraging best use of building land and optimal utilisation of services and infrastructure in the provision of new housing

• Pointing the way to cost effective options for housing design that go beyond minimum codes and standards

• Promoting higher standards of environmental performance and durability in housing construction

• Seeking to ensure that residents of new housing schemes enjoy the benefits of first-rate living conditions in a healthy, accessible and visually attractive environment

• Providing homes and communities that may be easily managed and maintained