Mind the Regulatory Gap!
Energy Efficiency: Building towards Net Zero The House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has recently published a report on Energy Efficiency. Chapter 6 of the report deals…
Changes to MK Planning Energy Policy
The new Plan:MK2016 - 2031 (adopted March 2019) introduced a new Sustainable Construction & Renewable Energy Policy. It is envisaged that this type of policy is likely to become more…
Making Best Use of Energy Statements
Background Many Local Authorities require Energy Statements as part of a planning application and have specific policies relating to sustainability, energy efficiency or Carbon. Typical requirements are that the developer…
1 Million New Homes?
Background Last year the Government hit its target of building 200,000 homes each year in England, putting it on track to fulfil the promise it made two years ago to…
Impact of IPPC Climate Change Report on UK Planners & Architects
Introduction The IPPC Report on the impacts of global warming published on 8 October 2018 highlights not only the perceived dangers confronting the planet but also those business sectors which must…
ESOS Phase 2 Update: Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme
Background Under the ESOS Regulations 2014 All large organisations in the UK must carry out ESOS assessments every 4 years. The government set up ESOS to implement Article 8 (4…
Office Comfort Conditions & Criteria
Comfortable conditions within an office or work space is essential for productivity and the welfare of occupants. This brief highlights some of the issues.
Planning for Summertime & Overheating
The Big Freeze appears set to continue! Winter is surely struggling its way towards spring! Now really is a good time for designers and planners to think of summer and…
Planning for Daylight & Sunlight
Daylight 25 Degree Rule of Thumb (Building Research Establishment (BRE) document ‘Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight: A guide to good practice (2011) The BRE 25° test is used…