On 20 June, BRE released plans to develop a voluntary sustainability standard for new homes. It will allow developers to differentiate their product in the marketplace by recognising performance beyond minimum regulation and provide increased choice for the consumer.

It is inviting consumers and those involved with the delivery of housing to have their say on what should be included in the standard.

The announcement comes in the wake of the recent Department for Communities & Local Government Housing Standard Review (HSR), and subsequent proposed changes to the regulatory landscape including the dissolution of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The standard will be developed for the UK and can be adapted for specific local circumstances. It aims to tackle the performance gap issue, ensuring that the home is performing as designed and if not, to recommend a course of action the home owner can take.

Director of BREEAM, Gavin Dunn, said: "We have our own ideas on the critical issues we need to address in future housing delivery – resilience to adverse and extreme weather, mental and physical health & wellbeing of occupants, resource efficiency, increased biodiversity, low energy, water and maintenance costs and  improved connectivity. It is essential that the industry and homeowners engage with us so we can develop a tool that people and the industry want to use because it provides increased quality and choice for the consumer, and drives  innovation and improvements across the housing supply chain."

The consultation process is open until 25th July 2014. The standard will be ready for roll out next Spring.