Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

As part of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's 'How We Built Britain' campaign, Cornish resident Dick Strawbridge explores the environmental credentials of buildings in the South West.

Dick looks at some of the environmentally unsound building developments that continue to be constructed, and discovers some of the innovative architectural alternatives that puts Cornwall at the cutting edge of green building design in the UK.

He also carries out an eco-audit on Plymouth’s largest new retail development, Drake's Circus; visits Jubilee Wharf - a radical-looking Zero Energy Development in Cornwall; and finds out how The Eden Project used pioneering green construction techniques to build its new education centre.

Dick uses the local Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ programme to discuss the government’s introduction of 'The Code for Sustainable Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔs', which is part of their plan to make all new homes carbon zero by 2016.

However, he discovers that private developers are currently exempt from rating their new homes with a rating from the code whilst 'social' developers like housing associations have to comply with the code and get a rating.

The government says that in 2008 it 'intends to propose' that it will be mandatory for all new homes to be rated in this way.

The programme will be broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ1 on Monday 18 JuneΜύat 22.35.

On Wednesday 20 June Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Cornwall's Laurence Reed will be holding a debate to look at the various issues covered in the television show. Dick Strawbridge will be a guest on the phone in, along with a local architect and planner.

If you're unable to take part on the phone, use our form below to send in your question via the form below. You will be able to hear the whole debate again on this page after 3pm on Wednesday 20 June.