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The use of fossil fuels to heat newly-built social housing will be banned in Wales from October, the Welsh Government has announced.

The Welsh Government’s new ‘Creating Beautiful Homes and Places’ policy was unveiled on Tuesday, August 17, as part of plans to encourage more environmentally-friendly building standards.

New homes will be required to meet the highest energy efficiency standards and reduce the use of carbon during the building process and beyond.

Developers will also need to consider recycling and food waste storage under the new rules.

Announcing the policy, the Welsh Government said Wales ranks third in the world when it comes to recycling, but said it is “striving for a zero-waste future”.

In a statement, the Welsh Government said the policy was a response to the climate emergency and its plans to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Meanwhile, the new rules also require new properties to have access to fibre optic broadband or gigabit wireless technology.

This comes at a time when many workers are still working from home following the coronavirus pandemic.

The Welsh Government’s Climate Change Minister, Julie James, said the new policy “shows the bold and immediate action we are taking in responding to the climate emergency”.

She said: “How we live and heat our homes over the coming years will be pivotal in reaching our net zero goals.

“Curbing the worst impacts of climate change is a matter of social justice, but so is ensuring people have access to internet in their homes, and enough space to live well.

“These standards ensure all of these targets are met as they reflect our modern ways of living and changing lifestyle needs.”

Ms James added: “Making use of innovative construction methods and design, I have every confidence the social housing sector will prove themselves trailblazers of the ambitious standards, as they deliver on our pledge to build 20,000 low carbon homes for rent over the next five years.”

Clarissa Corbisiero, Deputy Chief Executive at Community Housing Cymru, said Wales was now ” at the forefront of measures to ensure housing can play its full role in tackling the climate emergency”.

She added: “To support housing associations to deliver on these commitments, Welsh Government must ensure that recent record investment in social housing continues and is focused on the new technologies and materials required to build new good quality affordable homes at pace and scale.”