Heat Network Regulations – Time to Re-Notify
Posted on December 17th 2019
Heat networks which were first to notify the OPSS (formally the NMRO) back in 2015 and 2016 are now due to renotify. Under the Heat Network Regulations (2014), all heat suppliers have a duty to notify the OPSS of all operational heat networks. Each notification has a shelf life of four years, with notification templates seeking information relating to billing, …
How to approach the whole life carbon requirements of the New London Plan
Posted on December 17th 2019
The draft New London Plan introduces a Policy (SI7) regarding the reduction of waste and implementation of circular economic principles. This promotes resource efficiency and innovation to keep products and materials at their highest use for as long as possible. The policy seeks to promote circular economy for developments and requires that referable applications provide a Circular Economy Statement to …
Are heat pumps in housing developments a noise nuisance?
Posted on December 17th 2019
A move to an increase in the use of heat pumps following the release of the Future Homes Standard consultation may create acoustic issues that need to be designed out. The compressor and fans within heat pumps cause the main noise and vibration concerns. As air source heat pumps (whether for individual homes or part of a heat network) are …
Berkeley Modular Factory achieves BREEAM Very Good
Posted on December 17th 2019
Berkeley Group’s new Modular Factory achieved a BREEAM Very Good rating this month reflecting the high standard to which Berkeley build even where there are no planning requirements. We were the licensed assessor and the Accredited Professional for the site, enabling us to facilitate the design team’s efforts to successfully schedule activities, set priorities and negotiate the trade-offs required to …
Increase in BREEAM Fees
Posted on November 27th 2019
The BRE have announced an increase in BREEAM fees for all projects registered on or after Sunday 1st December 2019. This will affect all aspects of the BREEAM process including registration, certification and fast track certification, as set out below. BREEAM Communities: assessment registration fees have increased by 13% to £565. Certification fees are increasing by 13.2% to 13.4% based on …
Health Impact Assessments for Planning
Posted on November 21st 2019
Many planning policies now require a report showing that the Health Impact of a scheme has been considered. A Health Impact Assessment details the capacity of doctor surgeries and dentists and examines daylight, sunlight and overheating within homes. It also looks at outdoor space and play areas and reviews the provision of public transport (cycling and safe pedestrian routes). Our …
Delivering an ESCO on a small development with low heat bills
Posted on November 21st 2019
We recently worked with Principal Place Residential Development Ltd (a JV between Brookfield Properties & Concord Pacific) to undertake an ESCO tendering process for the eponymous development in Hackney which provides heating to 357 flats, 299 of which also have cooling. Following our work, ENGIE have now been appointed as the ESCO. It is often assumed that ESCOs are only …
Overheating with window restrictors
Posted on November 21st 2019
Window restrictors are devices that stop windows being opened more than 100mm. They are important to maintain the security and safety of homes. For rooms that are liable to solar gain overheating the option of opening the window to enable purge ventilation is very limited when restrictors are used. Removing the restrictors can pose risks for occupants, while large glazed …
The Future Homes Standard: The end of the road for CHP?
Posted on November 21st 2019
Under Government proposals for the Future Homes Standard supplying heat to new dwellings from gas combined heat and power (CHP) would be a thing of the past. Changes to the way buildings are assessed for the future Part L would mean that heat networks with most of their heat derived from CHP will fail to comply with the new standards. …
The Future Homes Standard: Initial Reaction
Posted on October 4th 2019
The Future Homes Standard consultation was published this week. The proposals will significantly affect the development process introducing new cost pressures, technologies and design considerations. Our initial observations are as follows: The Government’s preferred option is for a 31% improvement over the current Part L standard through energy efficiency and technology improvements, increasing to a 75-80% improvement by 2025. The …