Air quality impacts wellbeing, study indicates
UK workers believe the quality of the air inside their building has a direct impact on their health and wellbeing, a new study reveals. A total of 94% of UK respondents in a survey agreed with the issue as the importance of indoor air quality has come to the fore due to the connections made […]
Focus turns to embodied carbon emissions
The Syntegra team is committed to helping the construction industry fulfil its requirements of cutting emissions from embodied carbon – as well as operational carbon – in the drive towards net zero to tackle the climate crisis. Embodied carbon emissions have largely been overlooked historically but contribute around 11% of all global carbon emissions, according […]
Historic planning overhaul unveiled to get Britain back in business
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled what he describes as ‘the most radical reforms to our planning system since the Second World War’ and has pledged a ‘new approach’ to planning as new and greener building strategies were announced as part of his programme to bring Britain out of hibernation following the brunt of […]
Construction could hold key to economic revival post-COVID lockdown
Whatever your views on the relative merits of lifting lockdown measures while COVID-19 continues to live among us, it seems we are all agreed on one issue – it is a thriving construction industry that will give the clearest message that Britain is once again open for business. In support of kickstarting building projects, the […]
How Covid has impacted the planning process
Local authorities have been urged by the Government to be ‘innovative’ in how they manage applications and workloads during the current Coronavirus crisis lockdown period. Chief Steve Quartermain, outgoing Chief Planner at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, called on councils to ‘be practical, be pragmatic and let’s plan for the recovery’. Acknowledging […]
Syntegra Group Q2 2020 – predictions and insights
When lockdown is lifted and new normality dawns – whatever that looks like – Syntegra stands ready to support clients through a broad range of potential scenarios with its innovative ways of working and extensive expertise across sustainable service provision. Of course, our teams remain fully committed to carrying out our services, albeit in revised […]
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 […]
New energy performance rules imminent for residential development
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 […]
Cities pledge to decarbonise buildings by 2050
A project has been launched that will see a coalition of eight European cities, including Dublin and Leeds, completely decarbonise their existing building stocks by 2050. The commitment, Build Upon2, is being convened by the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and will see the cities collaboratively develop and implement a built environment renovation and retrofitting […]
Ecology advice after huge fine for developers who destroyed bat roost
Clients have been warned to consider ecology in the initial stages of their planning proposals after a huge fine was imposed on a development company for the illegal destruction of a building where protected bats were known to roost. Landrose Developments was fined £18,820 at Brent Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to destroying the breeding […]
Government measures needed to get tough on housing stock to meet carbon reduction targets
Legally binding carbon reduction targets will not be met in the UK unless the Government takes steps to tackle the “increasingly uncomfortable and unsafe” existing housing stock and implements stringent measures around new build projects. That is the conclusion of a report by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). The report criticises the withdrawal of […]
The slippery slope to success
Members of the Syntegra team will be hoping they don’t slip up when they attend a network event with a difference in the new year – on the ski slopes. Managing Director Alan King has signed up to take part in PropSki 2019 in the world famous ski resort of Chamonix, France with a property […]
Syntegra acoustic team’s work rewarded
Syntegra has been granted membership of the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC). Following our application to join, our Associate Acoustic Consultant David Yates had to submit reports written in the line of his work to be peer reviewed prior to the company being awarded admission as a member of the industry body to prove technical […]
Planning applications face delay if bat surveys not completed promptly
A key window of opportunity for planning applications is about to close as the bat survey season draws to an end – meaning potential delays of up to a year for construction projects. Syntegra prides itself on a quick turnaround for all ecological surveys but we are bound by law to leave bats in peace […]
The rise of proptech – why we should embrace it
For those in the know, Proptech is just another jargon expression dropped into everyday business conversations discussing developments in the property sector. For those arriving late to this particular party, we’re simply talking about property technology – how digitalisation that rules much of our daily lives is finally building on its foundations in all things […]
Do engineers have a responsibility to improve indoor air quality?
Delegates at a recent conference heard how engineers can become ‘heroes’ if they recommend the right filters to customers seeking improved air quality in their buildings. The appropriate systems and maintenance of air conditioning provision can reduce the levels of harmful particles people breathe in. The World Health Organisation estimates air pollution costs the UK […]
How to avoid a tiny creature putting the brakes on your building development
While not always at the top of a developer’s mind when renovating a site, in today’s planning applications, bats and other rare or endangered species are a material consideration. Criminal prosecutions can be brought against builders who ignore the creatures’ presence and destroy roosts with unlimited fines and/or six months in prison the punishments available […]
LEED Assessment Services
Publicly displaying green credentials is becoming a must for organisations in our new sustainably-aware society. Multi-national companies are keen to show that every part of their business is green, including their buildings. In other words, being green and sustainable development, and indicating that by employing one of the conventional sustainability measures, is a part of […]
Indoor Air Quality Plan – Requirements and Criteria
With poor indoor air quality now recognised as a major factor underlying occupant health issues and reduced productivity, it has become an important consideration for building design and management. Poor indoor air quality can be the result of external pollutants entering building interiors, use of pollutant emitting building and cleaning materials, damage or poor maintenance […]
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