Reconciling Security with Sustainability: The Challenge for Eco-Homes

The importance of sustainable development is clear. The United Kingdom needs more homes, yet the impact on the environment must be minimized. Planning policy has begun to reflect this challenge, and the Code for Sustainable Homes (albeit voluntary) sets standards to improve the sustainability of new homes and offers a tool for developers to differentiate themselves within the market, based on their green credentials. Although there is no doubting the importance of sustainable development, it is essential to ensure that a step forward for the green agenda does not present a step back for crime prevention and designing out crime. This paper presents the findings from a recent project to establish the extent to which security and sustainability criteria might conflict. Through a detailed analysis of both planning and crime prevention policy, as well as a review of existing eco-homes throughout the United Kingdom, conflicts are identified and recommendations are made for aligning the two agendas.