'Greener and Safer Buildings Bill' to cut Stockport crime

12.00.00am GMT Mon 5th Jan 2004

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell is asking Parliament to change the law so that in future new homes and other buildings will be 'greener and safer'. His Private Members Bill, to be presented to the Commons this week, will bring in new rules that will help to cut fuel bills and reduce pollution, and also aims to reduce crime by improving home security.

"My Bill will help make Stockport a safer town by tackling crime, especially burglary and property theft. People deserve to feel safe in their homes, and this will be an important step towards that."

Mr Stunell says his Bill echoes Stockport's own Greener, Cleaner, Safer, Stronger theme. If passed all new or altered buildings would in future have to be greener - using less polluting energy and materials - and also safer, built to reduce the risk of crime.

"I am providing a fast track to more secure and safer homes. It is partly about better locks and security, but also means avoiding obvious design mistakes like dark alleyways and hidden corners."

According to Mr Stunell at present the police cannot insist on crime reduction measures when new designs are approved, so basic security faults are often built in from the beginning. His Bill, which amends the Building Act, would change this.

As the Liberal Democrats' spokesman on energy policy in Parliament Mr Stunell is very keen to cut carbon dioxide emissions from homes and reduce damage to the planet. The Bill's proposals would allow new rules on sustainability in buildings to be brought in.

"We waste more energy in our homes than we do driving round in our cars, and it is time the rules were tightened up. Highly efficient buildings will have much lower fuel bills, and help slow down climate change. No-body loses, and the planet gains."

His Bill is backed by WWF and many environmental organisations, but Mr Stunell expects hard work in the months ahead.

"My Bill has all-party support, but it is always a tough fight to persuade a majority of MPs to agree to anything, so it will certainly be a challenging year!"

Mr Stunell's Sustainable and Secure Buildings Bill will be presented on Wednesday, with the first formal debate and vote on Friday January 30th.

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