For all our housebuilder members: whether as small-scale developers or as contractors building bespoke homes, 2024 marked a big step in the road towards a Scottish Passivhaus equivalent for new build housing. On 12 December the regulations supporting this Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard were laid in the Scottish Parliament.
Passivhaus for Scotland in 2025?
It is calculated that the Passivhaus standard reduces heat demand in homes by 79% compared with current Scottish building regulations. Such a figure motivated Alex Rowley MSP to propose a draft Members’ Bill in the Scottish Parliament back in 2022 which sought: ‘new minimum environmental design standards for all new build housing to meet a Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard, in order to improve energy efficiency and thermal performance’.
There is no intention to replicate the Passivhaus standard in its entirety for new build housing in Scotland. These are ‘enabling’ regulations which will cover three core areas:
- The energy efficiency specifications
- Robustness on compliance with the new regs
- Quality assurance on site with the new standard
The devil is in the detail
In summer 2025, there will be a consultation on the details that will make up the new Scottish equivalent to the Passivhaus standard. This is one instance where the FMB’s views will be sought and I will be engaging with your Scotland Board and our housebuilder members on this. Currently the new Scottish Passivhaus equivalent standard will be adopted in early 2026: it will be voluntary from then and will become mandatory in 2028: subject to ministerial approval and feedback from industry.
Licensing and standards
Reports from my colleagues in London are that the new UK government has a more accommodating attitude to the FMB’s licence to build campaign. Now whether or not you think that all or some of our industry needs a licensing scheme (over 80% of FMB members do) there is consistency on the importance of construction quality and standards.
Your Scotland Board are keen for action on licensing and they noted the discussion around licensing construction in the Scottish Parliament in November. 2025 will be a year where the Scottish Building Standards system is further strengthened. Whilst the Scottish Government does not have the powers to introduce a fully-fledged construction licensing system, the direction of travel within the building standards system here is all about driving quality and compliance. It’s critical that the FMB continues to have a voice here, which is why I will continue as a member of the Building Standards Futures Board.
The judges gather
I’m hoping to see a wide range of entries from across Scotland for the Master Builder Awards. In February our three independent judges will review the entries before meeting in March to agree the winners across all of the award categories.
We then look forward to the Scotland Awards ceremony on 6 June in Edinburgh. It is so important for our hard-working members to receive the recognition they deserve. One thing is at least certain in 2025: a spotlight will be shone on our unsung heroes of the construction industry: FMB members!
Authors
Gordon Nelson
Director, Federation of Master Builders Scotland
