A private members bill which would make sustainability part of the Building Act has had an unopposed second reading in the House of Commons.

MP Andrew Stunell’s Sustainable and Secure Buildings Bill stipulates that all new or altered buildings would have to be greener in the future, using less polluting energy and materials.

Mr Stunell said: “We waste more energy in our homes than we do driving around 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. Nobody loses, and the planet gains.”

&#8220We waste more energy in our homes than we do driving around in our cars, and it is time the rules were tightened up”

Andrew Stunell MP

The bill is backed by environmental groups such as WWF and will now enter committee stage.

Mr Stunell’s plans met some challenges due to the potential cost of regulating and implementing such building requirements.