Budget 2018: The green economy announcements and reaction
In what is widely tipped to be the last budget before Brexit, the Chancellor made little mention of any major ‘green’ economic issues leaving the much-anticipated plastic tax the major announcement. Here for you to digest over a quick cuppa – not, we hope, from a disposable cup – is a round-up of key policy […]
New World Health Organization guidelines on environmental noise
Acoustics considerations are set to be shaped by influential new guidelines on the impact of environmental noise on human health and well-being. New Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region were published by the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe this month (October) and will drive policy and guidance for the sector over the […]
SuDS approval to be mandatory in Wales
All proposed new developments in Wales must be signed off by the SuDS Approving Body (SAB) from January to prove that project designs are as sustainable as possible regarding the dispersal of water to avoid flooding and pollution problems at an early planning stage. Current voluntary standards which apply to how drains are designed, constructed, […]
Daylight assessments 25degree rule for planning applications
By Su Young Lee, Syntegra Senior Sustainability Consultant In designing a new development or extension to a building, it is important to safeguard the daylight to nearby buildings. Therefore most councils require a daylight, sunlight and overshadowing assessment as part of the planning application. Loss of light to existing neighbouring windows does not need analysing […]
Government funds to boost clean technologies development
The UK Government has launched schemes to help speed up the adoption of clean technologies. The first is a £320m Heat Networks Investment project (HNIP) offering grants and loans to businesses, hospitals, schools and local authorities with a heat network of two or more buildings. The scheme is being operated by the Department for Business, […]
Net-zero economy aim for UK government
The UK Government has confirmed it is seeking advice on how to reduce carbon emissions and move to a net-zero economy. Following the release of a report last week by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warning that the global temperature increase will hit 1.5C by 2030, and 3-4C by the end of […]
Housing programme kickstarted by PM lifting borrowing cap
Syntegra colleagues are ready to work with local councils across the UK as moves to build thousands of new homes are expected following the Prime Minister’s announcement that she is lifting the cap on their borrowing to fund new developments. ‘There’s a government cap on how much local authorities can borrow against their Housing Revenue […]
Impact of New draft SAPs (Part L) on future Energy Strategy Reports
The new draft Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP10) was published in July and here our Energy Services Director Umer Uzair reviews the impact of this on future Energy Strategy Reports. Before we discuss the changes within SAPs, I would like to mention the purpose of SAP calculations and what is SAP? SAP is the standard assessment […]
Upholding environmental standards if there’s no Brexit deal
The government has issued guidance around the potential impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit on environmental standards in the UK, affecting areas including waste, air quality, water, and protection of habitats and species. A large body of existing EU environmental law currently covers these areas and some of this legislation also delivers the UK’s commitments […]
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