New Director in key air quality role
Syntegra has appointed a new Director of Air Quality to boost company credentials in this key area of business. Mark Chapman has managed technical and business development for some of the largest teams of specialist air quality consultants in the UK. A qualified Chartered Environmentalist, Mark provides specialist environmental assessments, such as air quality and […]
New Basement Impact Assessment Service launched
To help meet the current demand for basement development projects, Syntegra has decided to launch a new Basement Impact Assessment (BIA) service. A BIA outlines the direct and indirect impact of a proposed development. Given the nature of basement projects, with the associated risks of potentially undermining neighbouring properties, flooding, health and safety concerns, air […]
Defra unveils multi-million pound Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment fund
The UK Government has unveiled plans for a new £5m Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment to protect the environment as part of a new package of Environment Bill measures. Environment Minister George Eustice said the funding will help improve the data collection of how nature and biodiversity are used within the UK. The initial programme […]
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 […]
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 […]
Land promotion service launched
Syntegra has launched a new service for clients to help landowners maximise the profits on their land by taking over the entire planning process to attain planning approval and subsequent uplift in property/land value. Under the land promotion service, our team will part or fully fund the process and commit our experience and expertise in […]
Developer guides launched
Syntegra has published the first in its series of Developers’ Guides for potential clients to refer to when considering working on joint projects with the company. The Impact of Ecology on Planning and Development has been drawn up to advise developers of the initial site considerations they need to address when planning a project. The […]
Developers urged to consider impacts on wildlife
Developers have been warned to take more care to protect wildlife habitats when undertaking construction projects following concerns raised over netting being placed over trees and hedges. In a letter to developers, Communities Secretary James Brokenshire MP reminded developers of their legal obligations to consider the impact of their work on wildlife and take action […]
Biodiversity net gain guidance launched
Development plans are set to include detailed calculations on the biodiversity net gain of their projects in a bid to reverse losses of natural habitats from previous construction schemes. Industry associations have teamed up to produce guidance on the scheme first launched by DEFRA to improve provision of natural habitats for species potentially displaced by […]
Syntegra project nominated for award
A project which Syntegra’s acoustics team were involved with has been nominated for an industry award. The New Build Site at Callum Court, 32-42 High Street, Purley, has been shortlisted in the Best Small Development category at the First Time Buyers Awards 2019. Awards literature says the award ‘will be given to small developments that […]
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, […]
New guidance on lighting and its effect on bats
New guidance on lighting and its effect on bats has been welcomed by the Syntegra team as it offers advice to clients on sustainable development schemes. The Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) has launched the latest practical guidance on considering the impact upon bats when designing lighting schemes. They have worked with the Bat Conservation […]
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 […]
Health & Wellbeing benefits of natural lighting design
With the UK’s annual sunshine in short supply, it is common for us to judge the merit of a home or office by the amount of natural light the building receives – and a room with a view is much sought after. But in design and efficiency terms, there are actual scientific facts and standards […]
Award winning project
A retrofit development that our consultants worked on has won a prestigious national award. Print Works House in Fitzrovia, London, won the ‘Housing Under £5 million’ category in the Architects’ Journal Retrofit Awards. Syntegra consultants, working with HÛT architects, had provided advice on issues of mechanical and electrical design, acoustics, energy and sustainability at both […]
ProPG: Planning and Noise – Professional Practice Guidance on Planning & Noise for New Residential Development
The new professional practice guidance on planning and noise for new residential development was finally launched in Birmingham on the 22nd June 2017. This document has been a long time coming – since late 2011 when it became clear that the forthcoming National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) would revoke the previous technical planning guidance […]
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 […]
Wales’ One Planet Development Scheme
In July 2010, Wales introduced One Planet Developments; a national planning policy to encourage low environmental impact developments. This is in response to studies showing that, if everyone consumed natural resources at the rate that Wales currently does, it would take 3 planets to support everyone. It has been concluded that Wales must reduce its […]
Syntegra Consulting at the Big Green Home Show
On Saturday 27th October, Syntegra Consulting shall be presenting an exclusive seminar at Swindon’s Big Green Home Show; the UK’s largest exhibition for anyone wishing to make their home more eco-friendly. The Big Green Home Show, held at the National Self-Build & Renovation Centre, provides a hub of knowledge on all aspects of green building […]
Recent budget offers mixed results for the industry
The chancellor has announced that there will be a new shared equity programme to assist first-time buyers and reform of the planning process, but the focus is on new build rather than the secondary market. The lack of an announcement on stamp duty land tax incentives for retrofitting homes will be seen as a missed […]
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