Sustainable development and planning news

Developer Masterclass – What now for zero carbon development? James Blackburn, director of Carbon Green Consulting, is guest speaker for Peter Brett Associates at the Developer Masterclass event at Foot Anstey’s Exeter offices. James set out significant recent changes...

Feed-in Tariff next for Government cuts Feed-in tariffs that boost solar panel schemes could be the next green subsidy to be axed, according to a new government consultation published today. The Department for Energy and Climate Change has begun a public consultation...

Solcer Home Proves Zero Carbon Homes Policy reversal is unfounded! Over the course of a year, the zero carbon ‘smart home’ generates £175 in energy exported to the national grid for every £100 spent on its own electricity use. Solcer House collects and stores thermal...

Government decision to axe Zero Carbon Homes Target a backward leap! Industry figures have slammed the government’s newest anti “Green” decision to axe the Zero Carbon Homes policy due for statue next year as “Bizarre” and “Very disappointing”. The move comes as part...

Government ‘lacking long term climate change policies’ Committee on Climate Change publishes critical report on UK policies and urges more action to green buildings and infrastructure. The government is failing to adequately tackle the threat of climate change,...

The Code for Sustainable Homes - Update on it’s demise The Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) was introduced in 2007 and at the present time remains the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes in England and Wales. However, on August...

Green Party pledges 500,000 new homes! The Green Party have gone beyond other Parties’ election pledges on social housing and promised 500,000 new social rented homes by 2020 , funded by scrapping the buy-to-let interest tax allowance.  Tom Chance, Housing...

Government attacked on Existing Building Energy Performance The Department for Communities and Local Government has issued a consultation document which could weaken the requirement for Display Energy Certificates (DECs) on public buildings. The paper proposes...

European Green Capital now building in straw! Bristol, as well as boasting the title European Green Capital in 2015, has gone another step and is one of the first UK cities to have straw bale affordable homes. The seven townhouses which go on sale this week, have been...

New Regulation on rental property Ed Davey, the Energy Secretary, presented Parliament with new energy efficiency regulations last week making it illegal for landlords to rent out the most energy inefficient dwellings and properties from April 2018. The UK Green...