Oxford goes green: Council bans gas hobs and boilers in new homes under plans to tackle climate change’s ‘existential threat
- Gas cookers can fill kitchen with air pollution that breaks ‘safe levels’, report says
- Oxford also wants to bring forward their 2036 ban on gas and oil in new builds
Oxford City Council are going to ban gas hobs and boilers in new homes from 2025 in a bid to become more environmentally friendly.
The city is planning to hit net zero by 2040 and says this move will help tackle the ‘existential threat of climate change’.
The proposals state that appliances that use fossil fuels for heating and cooking are to be banned from being installed in new homes – with very limited exceptions.
Oxford’s Labour Council also wants to bring forward their 2036 ban on gas and oil in new builds.
However, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) has criticised Oxford councillors for diverging from the national timetable to meet net zero by 2050.
Steve Turner, executive director at the HBF, told The Telegraph: ‘We need all parties, including central and local government to work together and avoid diverging off the developing plan, which will lead to unnecessary delays and additional costs.’
Mr Turner added that the industry ‘is committed’ to the government’s plan and is working with stakeholders to deliver it.
Oxford (pictured) is planning to hit net zero by 2040 and says this move will help tackle the ‘existential threat of climate change’
A report also found that the gas cookers can fill a kitchen with air pollution that breaks recommended safe levels
In September, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pushed back green targets, such as the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales by five years to 2035.
And about a fifth of all households will be covered by an ‘exemption’ from ever having to remove their gas boiler and replace it with a heat pump.
Mr Sunak also said he was scrapping ‘heavy-handed’ measures including an increase in recycling that could see each home have seven bins, and taxes on meat and flying, and new rules on car sharing journeys – though critics had already questioned whether they would ever be introduced.
READ MORE: Gas cookers ‘should come with a health warning’: Report reveals the appliances pump out ‘unsafe’ levels of pollution – as experts call for Brits to move to electric hobs and ovens
The PM insisted his delay on net zero policies was not a ‘short-term decision’ aimed at winning the next general election.
Whilst there is no set out ban on gas hobs in the UK, an increasing amount of new homes will not be connected to the UK’s gas grid.
A report also found that the gas cookers can fill a kitchen with air pollution that breaks recommended safe levels.
Researchers rigged monitoring equipment in more than 280 homes — 40 in the UK — as well as France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovakia.
More than half of homes using gas hobs and gas ovens in the experiment breached the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended maximum level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) once a week.
Oxford is not the only one who is planning to ban gas hobs, as New York is also planning to wipe it out from 2026.
The city is seeking public opinion on the Local Plan 2040. The scheme wants to require all new developments – including homes and businesses – to be net zero in operation and for developments building 10 or more homes to provide at least 40 per cent of them as affordable housing.
Those wanting to build new housing will also be required to plant more trees, hedges and other greenery under the scheme.
Councillor Louise Upton told the outlet: ‘Our Local Plan 2040 aims to find the right balance to help us tackle the housing crisis and climate emergency, support our communities and residents and make Oxford a better place for everyone.’
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