Environmental campaigners are “delighted” with the Government’s latest plans to change building regulations.

One of the proposals would see homeowners extending their properties be required to upgrade the energy efficiency of their house to the same level as their extension.

Zoe Leader, sustainable homes policy officer at environmental charity WWF-UK said: “WWF has long argued for the need to include this simple yet effective measure to support energy efficiency uptake in the domestic sector and with the Green Deal imminent this is now even easier.

“The announcement sends a positive signal that Government is serious about the Green Deal and improving our housing stock across the piece.”