Call for planners to be better funded to deliver net zero carbon emissions

The chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has called for greater resources to be given to local authority planners to enable them to deliver net zero carbon emissions  by 2050. Victoria Hills said the new Government now needs to address key issues to ensure town planners and the planning system are able […]

Highlighting the dangers solar glare can pose to train drivers

Syntegra was asked to conduct glare analysis on a building development adjacent to a railway line in Leeds to ensure it did not have a negative impact on the signal visibility for train drivers. Network Rail requests major developments conduct a glare assessment to avoid issues on signal visibility and safety at level crossings as […]

New rules to encourage business energy efficiency with SECR

Businesses need to be up to speed with the Government’s new Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) policy which mandates them to disclose their energy and carbon emissions. The policy, which came into effect on April 1st this year, affects almost 12,000 companies under the Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon […]

New energy performance rules imminent for residential development

Sustainable construction services

The Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for assessing the energy performance of residential units is being updated. SAP covers the energy cost rating of a dwelling and has not been updated for seven years. SAP10 has been issued but has not yet come into force, although its launch date is imminent and developers are being […]

New Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards in force

Landlords are being urged to comply with updated regulations in relation to minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES). Since April this year, new rules apply to energy ratings which affect a landlord’s ability to agree a new letting or tenancy. They now have to contribute up to £3,500 per property towards raising the rating on a […]