England risks building new ‘death traps’ as experts warn of overheating crisis
Summary
Experts warn that new buildings in England could overheat dangerously without improved government standards and climate-focused planning. Research shows many local plans lack effective cooling strategies, which puts vulnerable people at risk during heatwaves linked to climate change.Key Facts
- Around 2,700 people died in heatwaves in England and Wales during May and June.
- Only about half of local building plans require cooling or ventilation to prevent overheating.
- Nearly all councils plan to include green features like trees, but only a quarter use tools to ensure enough green space.
- The "future homes standard" starting in 2028 aims to regulate home temperature but excludes buildings like hospitals and care homes.
- Permitted developments, such as office-to-home conversions, often lack proper ventilation and can overheat easily.
- England has one of Europe’s lowest levels of tree cover, with many urban areas having less than 10% tree shade.
- Trees help cool neighborhoods, and low-income areas suffer most from a lack of tree cover.
- Planning experts highlight a gap between climate goals and actual cooling measures in new building projects.
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