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 […]
Noise assessments can continue throughout COVID crisis, advisers rule
Sound and noise assessments will continue across the UK despite the current lockdown situation meaning most people are working from home and access to many areas is restricted. Joint Guidance on the Impact of COVID-19 on the practicality and reliability of baseline sound level surveying and the provision of sound and noise impact assessments has […]
New innovative scheme to conserve newts and promote sustainable development is rolled out across England
A new approach to great crested newt licensing being rolled out across England has been welcomed by Syntegra’s director of ecology. Trish Holden said Natural England’s innovative approach would also benefit other species and ensure biodiversity net gain resulting from planning applications. Great crested newts have seen dramatic declines in their populations over the last […]
Building better biodiversity
Broad ranging measures announced as the UK Government unveiled its Environment Bill have been welcomed by the team at Syntegra which is already ahead of the game providing services which will become mandated under the new legislation. Building developments will increasingly have to be delivered in a way which protects and enhances nature. The bill, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Wildlife Enhancements in London’s Urban Jungles
By Trish Holden, Ecology Consultant I often get clients and agents questioning the need for ecological enhancements when sites are based in built up urban areas – it’s a common misconception that these urban sprawled ‘concrete jungles’ surely must be dead zones with no value for wildlife. After having many of these questions poised to […]
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 […]
Developers are set to face new carbon rule
Brighton and Hove council has launched a rule requiring developers to submit embodied energy calculations as a condition of planning permission. This is the first time that a council has has required developers to show how much carbon is in materials used for a scheme as well as the energy that is used for its […]
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