Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey opposed plans to cut new home emissions

Exclusive: firm also argued against heat pumps, which are proposed as a replacement for gas boilers

Taylor Wimpey, one of the UK's biggest housebuilders, opposed government plans to slash carbon dioxide emissions from new homes by at least three-quarters and argued against heat pumps, which are proposed as a replacement for gas boilers, one of the UK's biggest causes of greenhouse gases.

The company, which typically builds about 15,000 new homes a year, told a consultation that a target of cutting CO₂ emissions from new homes by 75% to 80% from 2025 was too high" and argued that heat pumps would be too expensive and would disappoint customers with their performance.