Is The Government Moving To Promote Refurbishment Over Redevelopment?
Posted on March 27th 2024
The recent high court ruling upholding Marks and Spencer’s (M&S) right to demolish its flagship store in Oxford Street could indirectly lead to a planning preference for building reuse over demolition and new build. M&S was granted planning permission to demolish its existing 1920s building in Oxford street, and rebuild a new 9 storey building. Despite planning permission being granted …
Now Offering Right to Light Consultancy
Posted on February 28th 2024
We are pleased to expand our daylight/sunlight service to incorporate right to light consultancy, thus allowing us to give comprehensive advice in all situations. We are delivering this through a partnership with Matthew Craske, who has 25 years’ experience in the field. Together we can support developers address planning requirements for daylight, sunlight and overshadowing along with addressing the common …
How ‘Sleeving’ Can Affect Heat Networks
Posted on February 28th 2024
The Future Homes and Buildings Standard Consultation proposed methodology for sleeving low carbon plant on heating networks uses peak demand for sizing of plant. This will have a significant impact on developers, potentially accelerating the rate of heat network decarbonisation compared to a methodology using annual heat demands, but it will result in larger plant and associated impact on utilities, …
Heat Network Regulations – What & When?
Posted on February 28th 2024
Heat network regulation is forthcoming. These will impact on developers, owners and operators of heat networks. This article summarises what is coming when and the status of each element. Consumer protection Consultation closed in 2023. Government currently analysing feedback. No confirmed date for introduction. Expected 2025-26 Likely to introduce regulation on fair pricing & billing transparency (within individual bills and …
No Water For New Housing?
Posted on February 28th 2024
Water scarcity is resulting in planning applications not being consented in Cambridgeshire. With the majority of England being defined by the Environment Agency as seriously water stressed (see image), and only 1 new reservoir under construction (near Portsmouth) this problem may spread. There is a solution, which is to demonstrate that new development will be water neutral – this can …
Will Your Development Need to Meet the Future Homes and Buildings Standards?
Posted on February 1st 2024
The charts below show if your development will have to comply with the Future Homes and Building Standards (FHS). The consultation proposes changes to the definition of commencement and grandfathering. The changes will mean that more developments will be required to comply with the FHS compared to previous regulation updates. The consultation proposes to alter the definition of commencement through …
Home Energy Model (HEM) – What Does It Mean For You?
Posted on February 1st 2024
HEM, the replacement for SAP, is intended to have more functionality that enables its use in a greater number of applications. In contrast, SAP is primarily used for EPC production using a significant number of standardised inputs. It does this through a move to half-hourly calculations (from monthly) and allowing variation of more inputs values. There are a number of …
Are You Ready For The New Future Homes Standard?
Posted on February 1st 2024
The rollout of FHS 2025 should not be a major surprise for designers and developers working to already high standards written in adopted or emerging local plans in some boroughs (e.g., London, Cambridgeshire, Berkshire, Central Lincolnshire, south-west areas such as Bristol, Bath and North-East Somerset). These local authorities already drive fabric standards beyond Part L requirements and, in most instances, …
Enhanced Heat Pump Efficiencies Required for Compliance with the Future Homes Standard
Posted on February 1st 2024
A significant proportion of current heat pump systems on the market may not be sufficient to meet the new requirements of the Future Homes Standard, which is currently under consultation. This is due to the heat pump performance assumed in the notional specification for energy assessments, as summarised in the table below: For individual heating systems, the notional heat pump …
5-minute Q&A summary on the Future Homes Standard consultation
Posted on January 10th 2024
The Future Homes and Buildings Standards (FHS) consultation was launched on 13th December 2023 and closes to responses on 6th March 2024. It proposes requirements to ensure all new buildings reduce carbon dioxide emissions and are net zero carbon ready. The government’s stated aims are to set even more ambitious requirements for energy efficiency and heating of new buildings, ensure no …