'Green Tax' For Eco-Friendly Renovations

Homeowners could be forced to pay for eco-friendly renovations when they want to make simple household repairs under plans being considered by the Government.

The scheme would affect people installing windows, boilers or even conservatories in what has been dubbed a 'green tax'.

Local councils would be given powers to make you add a new roof and wall insulation or draught proofing on doors before giving you the go-ahead.

If approved, the new rules would come into force in April 2014 and they could add 10% 'green' levy to a building project, according to the Daily Mail.

It said those struggling to meet the extra cost could borrow cash under the Coalition's Green Deal scheme , repaying the amount through an extra charge on energy bills.

Officials at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said the measures, which are under consultation, would be "mandatory" unless homes already had a high energy performance rating.

Measures listed in the Whitehall plans are believe to include hot water cylinder insulation and draught proofing.

Conservative MP Tim Yeo , chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Committee , criticised the plans.

He said: "If people are spending their own money on a new boiler compulsory intrusion is not appropriate.

"Encouragement or information about the scheme is justified, but it should be made an absolute requirement to have builders inside your home."

However, a DCLG spokesman said: "The reason we have picked these particular efficiency measures is because they are the cheapest and most effective in terms of making the money back in energy savings.

"This is a consultation and we have highlighted potential problems to encourage responses on how this may affect the public."

The Green Deal, a £14bn scheme backed by the private sector to insulate all of Britain's homes within 20 years, begins in October.

Homeowners will be able to borrow £10,000 to carry out the work and pay it back through their energy bills for up to 25 years.