BREEAM New Construction v7 – What You Need to Know

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) is preparing to launch BREEAM New Construction v7 in Summer 2025 — the most significant update in recent years. The changes strengthen the focus on whole-life carbon, resilience and operational performance, while better aligning with international sustainability frameworks.

For developers, planners and project teams, understanding these updates early will be critical to securing the right rating and avoiding rework.

Why the change?

BREEAM has long been the leading method for assessing building sustainability, influencing planning outcomes and investment decisions. With climate targets tightening and new demands for resilience, v7 aims to ensure projects deliver real performance — not just compliance — over their lifecycle.

Headline changes in BREEAM NC v7

“Simple Buildings” assessment type removed – all projects will now follow a full pathway.
Embodied carbon front and centre – Mat 01 weightings increased and applied more widely across schemes.
Predictive energy modelling required – new standards in Ene 01 & Ene 02 raise the bar for design-stage analysis.
Outstanding rating tougher – Shell-Only projects can no longer achieve Outstanding due to operational energy uncertainty.
Water use carries a carbon factor – linking water efficiency to whole-life carbon.
Revised weightings and rating boundaries – thresholds for Pass and Good lowered slightly; greater focus on energy and carbon performance.

What this means for your project

The changes will likely require more front-loaded planning. Early design decisions on structure, energy strategy and materials will be essential to meet higher credit thresholds. Coordination between architects, engineers, contractors and sustainability consultants will need to start earlier to avoid missed opportunities.

Our perspective

At Brookbanks, we see v7 as an opportunity to embed sustainability deeper into the development process. Our experience shows that early BREEAM AP involvement not only protects ratings but can also unlock cost savings, planning advantages and reputational benefits. As we are licensed by BRE to deliver BREEAM assessments and advice, we are perfectly placed to support your projects.

Meet our LDC Team

Technical Director, Land, Development and Communities Group

Dr Richard Boyle

Read Profile

Group Director for Land, Development and Communities

Lee Witts

Read Profile

Director of Utilities

Mat Capper

Read Profile

More News

Back to News

three electric vehicle chargers attached to a red brick wall in an outside car park

Delivering EV Charging Infrastructure: Helping Developments Meet Today’s Demands and Tomorrow’s Expectations

February 25, 2026

At Brookbanks, we know EV charging becomes far more manageable when it’s approached as part of a wider development picture rather than an isolated task. Rising regulatory demands, limited capacity, cost pressures and the realities of underground or enclosed parking all interact in ways that can affect programme, viability and long‑term performance. This article looks at the recurring challenges we see across residential, commercial and mixed‑use projects and the practical steps that help developments meet Part S requirements, manage grid limitations, integrate load‑balancing and smart‑charging systems, and plan for solar PV and battery storage. The aim is to provide clear, grounded insight that helps teams design EV strategies that genuinely stand up to modern development demands.

A street of Brookbanks residential houses

Our February 2026 Newsletter

February 23, 2026

Welcome to our February 2026 newsletter. In this issue, we will be sharing what’s been happening over the past month, including our two new podcasts highlighting the common pitfalls around S278 and S38 highway approvals, and what the Planning & Infrastructure Bill means for developers in England and Wales, with special guest Mark Harris from HBF Wales. We’re also looking back on our latest article, which explored how unspent S106 and CIL funds create opportunities to review, challenge and optimise legacy obligations, and why combining planning expertise with commercial insight is key to unlocking value. Plus, we are rounding off by showcasing one of our team's achievements.

An aerial view of a Brookbanks construction site.

Brookbanks Webinar: De-risking Infrastructure Design

February 18, 2026

Earlier this month, we hosted a lunch-time webinar exploring how infrastructure design can be strengthened well before construction begins. Led by our Civil Engineering specialists Ryan Meade and Toby Crayden, the conversation focused on the practical steps that help to reduce uncertainty and make the transition from design to delivery smoother and more predictable. Their session looked at the real‑world challenges that commonly appear between early drawings and activity on site. Ryan and Toby shared their experience of how early awareness, clearer coordination and the right conversations at the right time can make a measurable difference to project outcomes.